Kashmir: Jablipora Fruit Terminal Operational; Rs 1200 Cr trade Recorded This Season

SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir Government has said that the long-awaited International Fruit and Vegetable Terminal at Jablipora in Anantnag has become fully functional from August 2024, recording a trade turnover of nearly Rs 1,200 crore during the current fruit season.

In a written reply to a starred question by MLA Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri), the Agriculture Production Department said the foundation of the Jablipora terminal market was laid in 2014–15 with the aim of creating a high-capacity, national-level marketplace for Kashmiri horticultural produce. The project was originally conceived after the Government transferred 298 kanals of land for the mandi in 2011–12.

The department said substantial infrastructure development has taken place at the site over the years through funding from NABARD’s Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP). Major works completed include 12 auction platforms, an administrative block, three lavatory blocks, a gate plaza, a market yard, and a guard room.

According to official figures, the mandi achieved a trade volume of Rs 282.96 crore during the 2024–25 fruit season when it was formally thrown open. During the current fruit season, the trade has risen sharply to nearly Rs 1,200 crore, indicating the terminal’s growing role as a hub for interstate trade and competitive pricing for growers and traders.

The Government said that the process has also been initiated for the transfer of an additional 65 kanals of adjoining land to accommodate Kissan Ghar facilities, transport yards, and extra auction platforms.

An additional auction platform worth Rs 2 crore has been taken up under the Scheme for Agro and Sub-Cluster Infrastructure (SASCI) during the current financial year 2025–26, and the work is under progress.

The total cost of the projects taken up for Jablipora Mandi stands at Rs 33.15 crore, with an expenditure of Rs 28.03 crore so far under four phases of development.

Officials said the terminal market is now positioned to operate as a full-fledged national fruit hub, capable of linking Kashmir’s apple and other horticultural produce with leading markets across India.