Kashmir’s fruit growers are facing mounting financial losses after the closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44) for four days left hundreds of fruit-laden trucks stranded during the peak harvest season.
Trucks Stranded, Crores at Risk
From August 26, heavy rains, landslides, and road damage blocked the region’s primary all-weather trade route, halting the movement of 700–800 trucks carrying early-season fruit varieties such as Bagogosha pears, Galamast apples, and Red Ghala apples. Each truckload is valued at ₹5–9 lakh, with losses estimated in crores due to the short shelf life of the produce.
Growers like Muhammad Maqbool of Shopian voiced fears that crops may rot if traffic disruptions persist.
Sopore Mandi Sounds Alarm
According to Fayaz Ahmad Malik, President of Sopore Fruit Mandi—Asia’s second-largest wholesale fruit market—300–400 trucks were stuck at different points, threatening the livelihoods of lakhs of people tied to the fruit economy.
The crisis has been worsened by a bumper crop from Himachal Pradesh, which has driven down prices in external markets, further squeezing Kashmir’s growers.
Alternative Routes Fall Short
The Mughal Road, considered an alternative, only accommodates smaller six-tyre trucks. Larger 10- and 16-tyre vehicles, needed for bulk transport to major markets beyond Delhi, remain barred.
On August 30, the highway reopened for stranded vehicles, permitting regulated movement of trucks. Yet, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union, warned that partial restoration would not be enough. “Full-scale traffic must resume to avoid further devastation,” he stressed.
Calls for Government Intervention
Fruit growers have urged the government to:
- Prioritize fruit trucks on NH-44.
- Permit larger trucks round-the-clock via the Mughal Road.
- Expedite long-term alternatives for transport reliability.
Hope in Rail Cargo Service
Relief may come with the launch of the Railway Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) from Budgam to New Delhi, scheduled for late September 2025. Growers believe the service will provide faster, more dependable transport, reducing dependence on the vulnerable highway.
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