Mehbooba Mufti Urges Urgent Action as Highway Disruptions Hit Kashmir’s Fruit Industry
SRINAGAR: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday called for immediate government action to protect Kashmir’s horticulture sector, expressing concern over repeated disruptions on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway that have delayed the transportation of fresh fruit to markets across India. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
In a statement, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said recurring landslides and adverse weather conditions have severely affected the movement of horticultural produce, causing growing anxiety among fruit growers during the peak harvest season.
‘An Economic Emergency’
Mehbooba Mufti said the situation requires an extraordinary administrative response, warning that apples and other perishable fruits cannot remain stranded for long without affecting their quality, market value and farmers’ income.
She said the impact of natural disasters should not be made worse by the lack of a dedicated transport strategy for one of Jammu and Kashmir’s most important economic sectors.
“The administration must recognise that this is not merely a traffic management issue but an economic emergency,” she said.
Fruit Growers Facing Heavy Losses
According to Mehbooba, orchard owners invest an entire year in cultivating their crops, and many are now watching truckloads of harvested fruit remain stranded because road connectivity has been repeatedly disrupted.
She warned that prolonged delays could reduce the competitiveness of Kashmir’s fruit in national markets and lead to significant financial losses for growers.
Calls for Alternative Transport Routes
The PDP chief urged the authorities to take immediate steps to ensure horticultural produce reaches markets without unnecessary delay.
She suggested that all safe transport alternatives, including the Mughal Road for suitable commercial vehicles, should be actively considered whenever the national highway remains closed.
Dedicated Transport Plan Needed
Mehbooba Mufti also called for the creation of a dedicated operational framework to facilitate the movement of horticultural produce.
She said the plan should involve:
- Traffic management agencies.
- Civil administration.
- Transport authorities.
According to her, commercial vehicles carrying perishable fruit should receive planned and uninterrupted passage whenever road conditions allow.
Horticulture Supports Lakhs of Families
Mehbooba highlighted that Kashmir’s fruit industry provides livelihoods to lakhs of people, including orchard owners, farm workers, transporters, packaging workers and commission agents.
She warned that any prolonged disruption in the supply chain sends financial shockwaves through the rural economy, particularly during the peak marketing season.
