Sgr-Jmu Highway Blockade Forces Two-Day Shutdown of Handwara Fruit Mandi – Alfaaz – The Words

Murtaza Mushtaq

Handwara: The Handwara Fruit Mandi, the second-largest in North Kashmir, will remain closed on September 14 and 15 due to the continued blockade of the Srinagar–Jammu Highway. The decision was formally announced by Mandi President Mohammad Amin Wani after consultations with traders and stakeholders.

Firdous Shafi Mir, a young merchant and core member of the mandi, told Alfaaz–The Words that the highway disruption had made it impossible to move produce to outside markets. “In a general meeting, it was unanimously resolved to keep the mandi shut for two days,” he said.

The mandi is regarded as a lifeline for Kashmir’s apple economy, connecting growers with buyers across India. Its closure is expected to affect thousands of growers and traders at a time when the apple harvesting season is in full swing.

Traders have expressed concern that prolonged highway restrictions could inflict heavy financial losses. They have appealed to the authorities to restore traffic at the earliest to safeguard the interests of the fruit sector.