Apple traders, politicians in Kashmir urge authorities to prioritize fruit transportation on NH-44

Srinagar: Apple farmers and traders have urged the authorities to prioritise the movement of fruit-laden trucks on National Highway 44 (NH-44), which has been disrupted by landslides, flash floods, shooting stones and traffic restrictions linked to the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.

Farmers, traders and political leaders have appealed to the administration to ensure uninterrupted movement of trucks carrying early varieties of apples, such as Gala, and plums, saying the produce is highly perishable.

The horticulture sector contributes around Rs 10,000 crore to Jammu and Kashmir's economy but has suffered heavy losses due to frequent closures of NH-44, largely caused by landslides, shooting stones and prolonged repair work.


"We request the authorities to prioritise the movement of fruit trucks as they carry perishable produce. We hope the authorities will ensure quick repairs to stretches of the highway affected by extreme weather events," said Bashir Ahmad Bashir, president of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association.

He added that the movement of fruit trucks is also regulated under the traffic protocol for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, and sought some relaxation during the peak harvest season.

"These varieties of apples and plums are extremely perishable, and we are already receiving complaints from customers in other states due to delayed deliveries. We hope our fruit trucks are allowed to move without any stoppage," Bashir said. He added that around 100 fruit-laden trucks currently use NH-44 every day, which should not pose a major challenge for the authorities.

The authorities have suggested that traders use the alternate Mughal Road, but fruit traders said truck operators avoid the route because it is underdeveloped, lacks adequate facilities and can accommodate only 10-tyre trucks.

"No 12-tyre or 16-tyre trucks, which transport most of the fruit, can ply on the Mughal Road," said Mushtaq Ahmad, a fruit trader from Bijbehara.

The authorities had earlier announced that NH-44 would remain closed on July 31 for repair work, but apple traders said such closures should not become routine during the harvest season.

"I have requested the authorities to ensure the smooth movement of trucks and have facilitated clearance for some truckers over the past few days. But we need to find a long-term solution. The Amarnath Yatra traffic schedule is also affecting truck movement and needs to be reviewed," said Bashir Ahmad Veeri, National Conference MLA from Bijbehara in south Kashmir.

People's Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti also visited Qazigund on NH-44 and urged the authorities not to halt fruit-laden trucks.

Awami Ittehad Party leader Sheikh Ashiq said this was the critical harvest season and that it was the government's primary responsibility to ensure the smooth, hassle-free and timely movement of fruit trucks.

"There should be no unnecessary delays, bottlenecks or disruptions on the highway. Any interruption directly affects farmers, traders, transporters and the overall economy of Jammu and Kashmir. Perishable produce cannot afford to wait," Ashiq said.

He urged the administration and other agencies to prioritise fruit trucks by creating dedicated corridors, ensuring round-the-clock clearance, avoiding long halts at checkpoints, providing timely updates on weather-related disruptions so that alternate arrangements can be made, and coordinating with security agencies to balance security requirements with the economic urgency of transporting perishable goods.