Srinagar, Sep 18 (KNO): In a major relief for fruit growers, the divisional administration of Kashmir has successfully evacuated 4873 stranded fruit-laden trucks over the past two days.
According to an official handout issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the evacuation included 2239 trucks via the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway and 2634 via the Mughal Road.
The clearance operation was supervised by IG Traffic, M. Suleman Choudhary.
The divisional administration stated that the final batch of 500 trucks is scheduled to be dispatched from Qazigund by the Traffic Police later tonight. This will clear the entire backlog of stranded vehicles and help streamline traffic flow on the national highway.
“The divisional administration, under the continuous guidance of Chief Secretary Atal Dullo, has mobilized all available resources to expedite the transportation of horticultural produce,” the handout reads.
It further states that the Chief Secretary has been closely monitoring the situation, conducting daily reviews with all stakeholder departments to ensure the swift restoration of the highway, smooth traffic flow, and resolution of concerns raised by fruit growers and traders.
It further said the administration has taken necessary measures to facilitate the movement of Valley-bound trucks carrying essential commodities such as LPG, petrol, diesel, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lifesaving drugs to replenish stocks and meet local demand.
The highway closure had led to the stranding of hundreds of fruit-laden trucks along the Srinagar–Jammu route, triggering widespread resentment among growers. All fruit markets across the Kashmir Valley remained shut on Monday in protest against the government’s failure to ensure uninterrupted transportation of fruit-laden trucks to markets across the country.
The clearance of stranded trucks is expected to stabilize apple prices, which had plummeted due to prolonged highway closure—(KNO)