Jammu Kashmir Leaders Rally Behind Fruit Growers, Slam Highway Blockade

SRINAGAR: Political leaders across Jammu and Kashmir on Monday voiced strong support for fruit growers as the prolonged disruption of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway left apple-laden trucks stranded, triggering shutdowns in fruit mandis across the valley.

The crisis has drawn widespread criticism of the government, with opposition parties, trade bodies, and religious leaders demanding immediate restoration of traffic to safeguard Kashmir’s Rs 12,000 crore fruit industry.

Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi termed the situation “grave,” warning that both growers and the public were suffering, as stranded fruit rotted and fuel supplies dwindled. He urged Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the NHAI to act swiftly to restore smooth movement on NH44.

People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone castigated the Omar Abdullah-led government for failing to facilitate unhindered transport. Calling the losses to growers “massive,” Lone accused the administration of “sitting like mute spectators” and demanded the Chief Minister devise a concrete strategy with officials and stakeholders.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq described the plight of orchardists as “shameful neglect,” saying their year’s hard work was on the brink of ruin. CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami urged both the Union and UT governments to compensate growers and expand van services to transport produce to key markets outside Kashmir.

PDP leader Iltija Mufti, during a visit to Jablipora mandi, pressed for highway maintenance and prioritisation of apple trucks, while the Justice and Development Front accused authorities of “bureaucratic inertia and poor planning” that has crippled the fruit economy.

Former minister and PDF chief Hakeem Yaseen called the Jammu–Srinagar highway the “lifeline of Kashmir” and warned that its prolonged closure had worsened the hardships of a valley already grappling with incessant rains and floods.

The fruit growers’ delegation that met LG Manoj Sinha thanked the Centre for introducing a parcel train service to Delhi but stressed that highway access remained critical. The NHAI said full restoration would take time even if light vehicles were allowed soon.

With horticulture sustaining nearly 70 per cent of households in Kashmir, leaders warned that continued blockades pose a serious threat to the valley’s economy, urging urgent and long-term government action. (KNO)