Baramulla, Jun 24: As the fruit season gathers momentum in Kashmir, growers have urged the administration to ensure uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, warning that delays could affect the timely delivery of produce to markets across the country.
The demand comes ahead of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, which is expected to increase traffic pressure on the highway during the peak fruit dispatch season.
President of the Fruit Growers Association Sopore, Fayaz Ahmad Malik, appealed to the authorities to make special arrangements to facilitate the smooth movement of fruit consignments and prevent unnecessary delays during transit.
“We have already started dispatching early fruit varieties to markets across the country. These varieties have a limited shelf life and must reach their destinations within three to four days,” Malik said.
According to him, around 8 to 10 fruit-laden trucks have been leaving the Sopore fruit mandi daily over the past six days. The number is expected to rise sharply as the harvesting season progresses.
“During the peak season, nearly 120 to 150 fruit-laden trucks are likely to be dispatched every day. Ensuring hassle-free movement of these vehicles is therefore essential,” he said.
Malik also reiterated the demand for the immediate implementation of a crop insurance scheme, saying fruit growers across Kashmir have suffered significant losses due to recent adverse weather conditions.
He said orchards in North, South and Central Kashmir were hit by hailstorms and heavy rainfall over the past month, causing extensive damage to fruit crops.
“Recent natural calamities have once again underscored the need for a crop insurance scheme. Its implementation will provide much-needed relief and safeguard the interests of fruit growers,” Malik added.
