Minister assures priority movement for fruit trucks on NH: KVFG

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Aug 7: The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union (KVFG Union) today said the Minister Javaid Ahmad Dar has directed authorities to accord top priority to the movement of fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH44) during the ongoing apple harvesting season.

The Union said the Minister also directed the immediate restoration of damaged stretches of the highway on a war footing to ensure uninterrupted transportation of horticultural produce and prevent post-harvest losses.

According to the Union, the directions were issued during the Minister's visit to Ramban and Udhampur on August 6 to review the highway situation amid frequent traffic disruptions and restrictions caused by the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and road maintenance.

It said growers had expressed concern that delays in transporting fresh produce could result in heavy financial losses during the peak marketing season.

During the visit, the delegation interacted with traffic authorities and officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at Samroli and Udhampur, where the Minister urged them to facilitate the uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks to their destinations.

A review meeting was subsequently held at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Ramban.

It was attended by officials from the district administration, police, traffic police, NHAI, the Public Works Department and other concerned agencies.

During the meeting, the Minister directed all departments to maintain close coordination for the effective management of the highway situation and expedite restoration work.

The Union said the Minister also noted that the apple harvesting and marketing season had commenced and stressed that fruit-laden trucks should not face unnecessary stoppages or procedural delays on NH44.