Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 20: Fruit growers and traders at Shopian Fruit Mandi are facing an acute shortage of transport, hampering the movement of their produce.
President of the Fruit Association Arhama Shopian, Mohammad Ashraf Wani, said large transport vehicles had not been arriving in Kashmir for the past 20 days, creating severe difficulties in shifting produce to outside markets.
“I spoke with the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, on why movement was being allowed from Jammu. He said the decision was taken to address the shortage of transport here,” Wani told reporters.
According to him, the Divisional Commissioner explained that the National Highway and Mughal Road have been kept open for vehicles from Jammu so that more trucks can enter Kashmir and ease the shortage.
Wani also urged transporters not to exploit the situation.
“The fares must remain in line with what the Government is charging. We also have to safeguard the interests of fruit growers,” he said.
To address the crisis, the J&K Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) today deployed 25 trucks to carry consignments from Shopian Fruit Mandi.
The move brought some relief to growers and traders, though stakeholders termed it insufficient given the increased supply from orchards.
“RTC has stepped in to provide immediate relief by making its trucks available. On the first and second day, we were given five trucks each, and today we have been given a list of 25 trucks that will reach the mandi,” Wani said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
