Srinagar, Sep 08 (KNO): Kashmir’s apple industry is facing one of its toughest seasons, as the recent ongoing long closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has paralysed the movement of fruit during the peak harvest period.
As per the growers and traders, losses are mounting, with the railway link even failing to provide the much-needed alternative to transport the perishable produce and other fruits, especially apples, out of the valley.
“The market is completely closed. For 15 days, the National Highway has been closed,” Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union (KVFGDU), told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). “This is the beginning of the whole season and the loss has increased considerably. Fruit growers can’t tolerate it.”
As per the growers, September marks the peak time for harvesting apple varieties like Gala, Red Delicious, and other mid-season crops. According to Bashir, nearly 90 per cent of Gala apple varieties have already been harvested, and other varieties were nearing completion. However, with road blockages and with no railway movement support, the produce was piling up and on the verge of getting rotten.
“When there is a skid or delay, it is a loss for everyone. This is a highly perishable item, and the damage is already around 100 per cent in some areas,” he said.
Bashir said growers had pinned their hopes on the recently expanded railway operations to ease the crisis but said that too has failed to make a difference. “The train service was expected to provide relief, but it is not operating as required. So that hope too is fading now,” Bashir said.
Mughal Road Remains Underutilised
Bashir said that despite repeated pleas, the Mughal Road has not been fully opened for heavy fruit-laden trucks but for smaller trucks and other vehicles. “The Mughal Road could have served as a crucial alternative when the National Highway was blocked, but limitations have made it unreliable. At a time when every day counts, this route remains underutilised, adding to the losses of fruit growers,” he said.
Call for Fast-Track Highway Repairs
The apex fruit growers’ body has urged the government to work on the National Highway on a war footing and ensure 24x7 restoration so that the fruit can reach outside markets on time. “If work is carried out round the clock, it will save the season,” Bashir said.
The delay is also affecting the quality of the fruit, leading to price drops in available markets. Freight costs have surged as well.
Ripple Effect on Economy
The apple industry is a vital and primary part of Jammu and Kashmir’s horticultural and overall region’s economy, supporting lacs of families. Bashir said prolonged disruptions were creating a cascading effect, with cold storages filling up, market commitments being missed, and growers unable to meet financial obligations.
“The effect means our society is in a bad situation. “All of us are worried,” Bashir said. “And if this continues, the entire season will suffer, and our sector will collapse.”
The NH-44, the road link to Kashmir, has been repeatedly closed for traffic since August 26 after landslides triggered by rain damaged a portion of it—(KNO)