Srinagar, Apr 21 (KNO): Following the closure of the national highway due to cloudbursts, the mutton dealers and fruit and vegetable growers cum dealers here on Monday urged authorities to reopen the Mughal Road and allow the supply from there, as a vital alternative route for surface connectivity.
Both the Kashmir Valley Fruit and Vegetable Growers Cum Dealers Union and mutton dealers raised cocerns over the restriction on heavy vehicles, which is limiting the movement of essential goods, including fruits, vegetables, and livestock of mutton.
Kashmir has a sufficient fruit stock, while the vegetables and mutton stock will remain for a few days.
The dealers and suppliers have requested the authorities to immediately allow fresh stock to arrive in the valley through the Mughal Road. If not allowed, a shortage of fresh fruits and vegetables in the valley will occur due to the ongoing closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, caused by heavy rains, hailstorms, and multiple landslides, they said.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said valley has enough stock of fruits and vegetables, but now the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway has already resulted in the major sale of stocks, and now the stocks are kept for a few more days. "We request the authorities to allow heavy vehicles on the Mughal Road to help restore the flow of essential goods," he said.
Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Basheer expressed deep concern over the disruption in supply chains, especially the blocking of the strategic road that connects Kashmir to the rest of the country.
He said the highway is likely to remain closed for a few more days, urging the authorities to allow heavier vehicles to help the valley cope with the increasing demand for fresh produce.
KNO also spoke to Mehraj Ud Din, the General Secretary of the All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association, who echoed similar concerns. Din said the mutton stocks in the valley are also remaining for a few days. The current stock, he said, will last two or three more days.
"Our business is dependent on regular supply. We urge the authorities to allow heavy vehicles to use the Mughal Road for the transportation of goods. The restriction on heavy vehicles has severely affected the movement of essential supplies, including meat, which is crucial to meet the needs of the local population," Mehraj said.
He added that the marriage season is also arriving and the livestock is also stuck. "If the stock does not arrive on time, multiple marriage functions will be ruined," he said—(KNO)