Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 29: Fearing losses, the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union today demanded that the hundreds of fruit-laden trucks stranded on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway be allowed to move on priority.
The union’s Chairman, Basheer Ahmad Basheer, said that these trucks, carrying varieties such as Bagogosha (pear), Galamast, Red Ghala apple, and other early apple varieties, remain stranded on NH44, which, he said, has been blocked for several days due to road damage at multiple spots.
“Fruit mandis across Kashmir are packed with consignments of fresh fruits meant for transportation outside J&K, but they are rapidly losing shelf life,” he said.
He added that large quantities of these perishable fruits are lying in orchards across the Valley but cannot be transported due to the continued closure of the National Highway.
Basheer said that fruit growers are extremely worried, fearing huge losses if the produce does not reach its destinations in time.
“The Government has now allowed six-wheel vehicles to ply on Mughal Road, but these vehicles are not suitable for transporting Bagogosha, Red Ghala, and other bulk fruit varieties. What is urgently required is the operation of 6/10-tyre trucks for the transportation of these perishable fruits,” he said.
Adding to the crisis, he said, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed a bumper fruit crop this year, which has already slashed the market rates of Valley produce, further increasing the misery of fruit growers and dealers.
The union said that the horticulture industry of J&K is widely regarded as the “backbone” of the region’s economy, with more than 7 lakh families directly or indirectly dependent on it.
“In light of the circumstances, it is requested that the Governor’s Administration and the Chief Minister consider fruit-laden trucks presently stranded on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for several days may kindly be allowed to move forward towards their destinations on priority,” the Union said.
He said the recent devastating floods mostly affected the Jammu region, causing loss of human lives, but also impacted Kashmir. “The situation has equally crippled the horticulture industry of J&K.”
The floods also damaged the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH44), the only road connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, he added.
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