Srinagar, Sep 16 (KNO): Amid growing outrage over disrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks, the political parties on Tuesday backed growers and urged urgent steps to restore highway access and safeguard the Valley’s fruit industry.
Srinagar Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah voiced concern over the prolonged closure of the highway during the peak apple season, warning that the disruption is inflicting heavy losses on growers.
Speaking at the Fruit Mandi in Shopian, he alleged that halting fruit trucks appeared to be an attempt to undermine Kashmir’s economy. Ruhullah said trucks from Jammu were being allowed movement towards Srinagar, while apple-laden vehicles remained stranded. He urged authorities to restore traffic on the highway and cautioned that growers may be forced to protest if the situation continues.
Peoples Conference (PC) President and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone criticised the government over the prolonged closure of the highway.
In a post on X, Lone said it takes “hundreds of crores of losses in terms of rotting apples to wake up a wandering CM to actually issue a statement.”
He said the apple industry forms the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, and that an economy already affected by tourism losses is now facing heavy setbacks in horticulture as well.
Lone said that expression of concern from those in power was not enough. “Mere expression of concern from the ruling establishment is a luxury,” he wrote.
He also questioned the role of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in handling the road closure and asked why there was no coordination with local authorities to address the issue.
“What stopped the shawl gifting CM sahib to land in Delhi, meet ministers and ensure expeditious clearance of the highway. Did you even go there. Did you even pretend to be bothered,” Lone asked.
He said that while he could understand the Union Government treating the blockade like any other highway closure, the state administration should have recognised that the situation had a far greater impact on local livelihoods.
“I can understand Union Government treating it like yet another highway closure. But you should have known it is not yet another closure,” he added.
CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam, M. Y. Tarigami said that the floods in September had resulted in loss of lives, property and crops. He said the prolonged closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway had affected farmers and fruit growers.
Tarigami said that despite assurances from the National Highway authorities, the situation on the road remained uncertain during the peak season when apple produce needed to be transported to markets outside the Valley. He urged the Government of India to take immediate steps to ensure smooth passage of trucks carrying apples.
He said intermittent rains had caused leaves and apples to fall prematurely, leading to losses. He added that Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology should have given timely advice to farmers on preventive measures.
According to him, the recommendations of the Dr. Swaminathan Commission on distressed agriculture had not been implemented fully, and apple had not been included under the Minimum Support Price.
He further said that despite the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in 2016, apple had not been covered under the scheme, while insurance companies had earned large amounts of premium.
Tarigami said there was a need to reintroduce the Market Intervention Scheme so that rotten apples could be procured for juice and jam manufacturing. If the Government of India did not support the scheme, he said, the UT administration should include it under the CAPEX Budget to compensate growers.
He pointed out that cold storage facilities were insufficient in the Valley, despite announcements that government land was available for this purpose.
“The government cannot remain indifferent. Protecting horticulture means protecting the livelihood of farmers, which is central to Kashmir’s economy,” Tarigami said.
He demanded that the Government of India announce sufficient relief for flood victims and for apple growers and traders who had suffered losses because of weather, floods, and the highway blockade.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also raised concern over the crisis faced by apple growers in Jammu and Kashmir following highway disruptions, with party leader Iltija Mufti writing to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha seeking urgent intervention.
In her letter, she said horticulture forms the backbone of the Union Territory’s economy, contributing nearly seven percent to the GDP and providing livelihood to over 25 lakh people. She noted that recent floods, landslides, and consequent road closures have brought the apple trade to a halt, adding that the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway has remained shut for two weeks, leaving trucks carrying apples stranded while vehicles with other goods were allowed passage.
Iltija urged the administration to expedite repair work on the highway and announce an interim relief package for affected orchardists. She said the Mughal Road and Mughal Tunnel had failed to ease the situation due to their limited capacity.
Stressing the importance of the sector, she wrote that horticulture had supported the economy during the years of militancy by providing livelihood and dignity to thousands of families. She appealed for immediate relief to end the distress that has gripped apple growers in the Valley.
People’s Democratic Front (PDF) President and former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen expressed deep concern over the frequent closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, stating that it has badly hit the economy of Kashmir, particularly the horticulture sector.
He said it is unfortunate that despite the highway being known for frequent disruptions, successive governments have failed to put in place a long-term and concrete plan to address the crisis.
Yaseen said those who are crying today for the restoration of the highway had enough time and power in the past but failed to deliver.
“Had the governments constructed sufficient cold storage and preservation facilities in the Valley, fruit growers and traders would not have been facing these recurring losses year after year. It is a shame that despite crores being spent under various schemes, only a handful of cold storage units have been established so far, which are insufficient to cater to the Valley’s requirements,” he remarked.
He said that horticulture is the backbone of the Kashmir economy and provides livelihood to lakhs of families, yet the sector has remained neglected.
“Every time the highway is closed, fruit-laden trucks are stranded for days, resulting in rotting of perishable produce and losses worth crores of rupees. The closing of the highway due to landslides and floods is a natural process, but the lack of alternative routes, storage facilities, and disaster preparedness is a man-made failure,” Yaseen observed.
Meanwhile, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) workers, led by MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed, held a demonstration at Srinagar’s Press Colony to press for the reopening of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway for heavy vehicles. Protesters said the continued blockade had stranded thousands of apple-laden trucks, putting the Valley’s horticulture sector at risk.
Chanting “Save Apple, Save Kashmir,” they accused authorities of inaction and warned that growers faced mounting losses with no relief in sight. Participants carried placards highlighting the challenges of orchardists and demanded immediate steps to restore traffic flow and safeguard Kashmir’s fruit economy—(KNO)