Srinagar, Sep 11: The prolonged closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44) has plunged Kashmir’s horticulture sector into crisis, with the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGDU) estimating losses of nearly Rs 700 crore this season.
Orchardists, traders and truckers say the shutdown has left thousands of fruit-laden trucks stranded, forced farmers to dump rotten produce, and pushed freight charges to unsustainable levels.
Fruit growers said the Mughal Road, which has been opened for six-tyre vehicles, is proving inadequate, as the limited number of trucks has sent freight charges soaring. “Earlier, we used to pay Rs 50 to Rs 60 per apple box when transporting via NH-44. Now, on the Mughal Road, we are charged around Rs 200 per box. This is simply unbearable,” said Abdul Majid, an orchardist from Shopian. “The margins in apple farming are already very low. With freight charges tripling, we are running into losses that we may never recover.”
Bashir Ahmad, another grower from Pulwama, said the crisis has disrupted grading and marketing strategies. “The money we are receiving in outside markets is not even covering the freight charges. Most people have delayed picking up first-grade apples because we cannot afford to take the risk of them rotting in transit,” he said.
At Srinagar’s Parimpora fruit mandi, heaps of rotten apples lie scattered, with growers forced to pay labourers to dump their own produce. “We hired trucks and loaded our apples with a hope. But after being stuck for days on the highway, the fruit came back rotten. Now we spend more money to throw it away,” said Ghulam Nabi, a farmer. “This is the first time I have seen growers paying for the destruction of their own produce,” added Mohammad Yousuf, a Sopore-based trader.
Growers’ union president Bashir Ahmad Basheer warned of a ripple effect on Kashmir’s economy if the highway is not restored on a war footing. “This is the beginning of the season and the loss has increased considerably. Fruit growers can’t bear it. The government must either ensure immediate restoration of smooth traffic on NH-44 or provide adequate transport through Mughal Road at fair rates,” he said.
Truckers stranded for nearly two weeks on the highway also voiced anger and despair. “This is unbearable. These 13 days feel like 13 years. We are sleeping in our trucks, eating whatever we can get, and constantly worrying about our goods rotting,” said Bashir Ahmad, a driver from Anantnag. Others spoke of food shortages, water scarcity and safety risks. “Some of us are surviving on just tea and biscuits. Long halts in isolated areas make us vulnerable to accidents and theft,” said Irfan Malik, a trucker ferrying vegetables from Jammu to Srinagar.
The KVFGDU accused the government of indifference, saying no serious steps are being taken to either restore the highway or provide viable alternatives. “Railway connectivity is there, but no arrangements have been made to transport fruit consignments via train. This apathy has put the livelihood of lakhs of families associated with horticulture at stake,” said Basheer.
Orchardists also criticised restrictions on the Mughal Road. “These vehicles hardly make it beyond Delhi. They don’t reach major markets like Bangalore, Kanpur, or Chennai, which are crucial for our trade,” said Mohammad Ramzan, an orchardist from Pulwama.
Others urged the government to explore long-term alternatives. “If the government arranges goods trains, growers won’t face these repeated crises. This is the least they can do for the sector that is the backbone of our economy,” said Mohammad Amin from Shopian.
Farmers warned that the continuing blockade could cripple Kashmir’s apple industry, considered the backbone of the Valley’s economy, which is already grappling with the effects of climate change, untimely rains, and rising input costs. “Apple is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy. If the government fails to safeguard it, the economic repercussions will be disastrous not only for growers but for the entire Valley,” Basheer said.
The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway remains the only all-weather surface link connecting the Valley with the rest of India. Its frequent closures due to landslides, shooting stones and traffic mismanagement have triggered major economic setbacks over the years. (KNO)
