Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 8: Inspector General of Police (Traffic) M. Suleman Choudhary today assured the fruit growers of Kashmir that fruit-laden trucks would be given priority once the highway reopens.
In a meeting held here, the IGP assured the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union (KVFG) that fruit-laden trucks would be given priority once the highway reopens.
The KVFG delegation, led by its chairman Bashir Ahmad Basheer, discussed the prolonged closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) due to bad weather and its impact.
He apprised IGP of the imminent huge losses faced by growers.
Basheer informed the IGP that hundreds of fruit-laden trucks carrying perishable produce such as Babogosha, Galamast Red Ghala and other early varieties have been stranded for several days, causing heavy damage to consignments.
He warned that growers face losses of at least Rs 500-700 crore, with the situation worsening as the apple crop continues to shed in orchards.
The KVFG chairman said that while the Government has permitted six-tyre trucks on the Mughal Road, the route is unsuitable for fruit transportation, which requires 10-14 tyre trucks.
He also pointed out that freight charges have skyrocketed to nearly 300 times the normal rate, compounding the losses.
IGP Choudhary assured the delegation that efforts were underway to restore traffic on NH-44 at the earliest and that stranded fruit trucks would be given priority once the highway reopens.
He expressed hope that if the rains stop, the road could be cleared within a day.
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