Srinagar, Sept 15 (KNO): A delegation of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union, led by its Chairman Bashir Ahmad Basheer, met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan here on Monday.
The meeting came against the backdrop of massive losses faced by growers due to the prolonged closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44).
The delegation expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Lieutenant Governor for the launch of a new parcel train connecting Budgam with Adarsh Nagar, New Delhi, which they termed a milestone for the fruit industry. However, they also flagged pressing concerns regarding the uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks on NH-44 and the Mughal Road.
Speaking to the news agency - Kashmir News Observer (KNO) after the meeting, Basheer said the LG assured that all stranded fruit trucks would be cleared on priority and that the highway would be “fully restored by tomorrow.”
“The LG gave a patient hearing to our demands and assured that fruit-laden vehicles will be given top priority once the road is made traffic-worthy. He also said the government will look into the issue of compensation for losses suffered by growers due to the prolonged closure,” Basheer said.
During the meeting, the Union submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting the plight of the growers.
Key demands, as per the memorandum, include immediate restoration of NH-44 to ensure smooth passage of stranded trucks, priority clearance of fruit-laden trucks once the road is restored, even against security convoys if needed, and daily movement of trucks from valley mandis to outside markets on a priority basis.
The Union demanded assessment of orchard losses in south Kashmir due to recent devastating floods, with horticulture experts deputed for ground surveys, comprehensive compensation package for orchard owners affected by what growers termed a “natural disaster", railway connectivity for all major fruit mandis, especially Sopore, along with warehouse facilities to reduce dependency on road transport and waiver of KCC loans raised by small and marginal fruit growers, the “poorest community among the orchardists”, Basheer said.
The memorandum stressed that hundreds of trucks carrying fresh consignments of Babogosha pears, Ghalamast apples, Red Ghala, and other early-season fruits have been stuck for nearly three weeks, leading to “complete damage” of perishable stock.
The Union warned that growers face losses running into crores of rupees if immediate relief measures are not taken.
They said the government restrictions allowing only six-tyre trucks via Mughal Road have been unviable, as bulk transportation of apple and pear crops requires 10–14 tyre vehicles. Smaller trucks, they said, are charging “exorbitant rates nearly 300% above normal freight,” adding to the financial burden.
The LG assured the delegation that men and machinery have been deployed for the complete restoration of NH-44, and railway freight terminals will be established in due course to facilitate growers and traders, the Union leader said, adding that Sinha assured that the stranded trucks will be given priority clearance.
Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the LG, was also present at the meeting.
The meeting comes at a time when Kashmir’s horticulture industry—considered the backbone of its economy—is under severe stress due to weather-induced road disruptions and mounting transportation hurdles. (KNO)