Frequent highway disruptions threaten Kashmir’s fruit industry
70% of Valley’s population relies on horticulture
Growers fear heavy losses as stranded fruit risks rotting
Srinagar: As traditional Kashmir’s apple season is about to start, fruit growers are grappling with renewed anxiety over the frequent closures of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway — the Valley’s only all-weather road link with the rest of the country.
With nearly 70 percent of Kashmir’s population directly or indirectly dependent on horticulture, the repeated disruptions pose a serious threat to livelihoods and the region’s economy.
The highway has remained mostly closed in last two weeks due to heavy rains that caused damage to the road at many spots.
“This is very worrying news for us,” said Bashir Ahmad, a grower from Shopian. “Every year, during harvesting, we face one crisis or another. Now, with the highway closed so often, we fear our apples and pears will rot before reaching the markets.”
Growers said that truckloads of fresh fruit, including gala apple varieties and different types of pears, have already been stranded on the highway. “The longer they remain stuck, the more they deteriorate. Even if they finally reach markets, they won’t fetch the desired prices,” said Abdul Rashid of Sopore, a hub for apple trade.
Farmers have urged authorities to immediately strengthen alternative options such as the Mughal Road. However, restrictions allowing only six-tyre vehicles have limited its effectiveness. “These vehicles hardly make it beyond Delhi. They don’t reach major markets like Bangalore, Kanpur, or Chennai, which are crucial for our trade,” explained Ghulam Nabi, an orchardist from Pulwama.
Others stressed the need to look beyond road transport. “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 Yousuf from Baramulla.
Horticulture, especially apple production, contributes thousands of crores annually to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. The Valley alone accounts for over 70 percent of India’s total apple production.
Growers warn that if immediate measures are not taken, this year’s losses could be irreparable. “We appeal to the government to treat this as an emergency,” they said. “Without smooth transport, our hard work will go to waste, and the Valley’s economy will collapse further.”
