Fruit industry demands alternative mode to ferry apples across country

With the Srinagar Jammu national highway remaining shut for days after recent rainfall in the region, there are growing calls from the Valley’s fruit industry demanding alternative transport options to ensure timely transportation of their produce to markets across the country.

Hundreds of trucks have been stranded on the Srinagar Jammu National Highway following devastating rainfall in the region. Around 800 trucks remain stranded both on the national highways and on the Mughal road, according to fruit growers.

With trucks carrying apples yet to reach markets, fruit growers are calling for alternative transport options. Bashir Ahmed, chairman, the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union, told The Tribune that September being the peak season of apple harvesting, suspension of highway had brought worries for growers.

“Since highway is closed, growers are worried. There is need of alternate transport options so that the fruit supply is continuous,” he said, adding that the existing highway and road had to be developed in such a way that just a rainfall doesn’t suspend the traffic movement.

Ahmad said train service was also need of the hour. “We want full-fledged direct train service to different parts of the country. They are planning to start good trains, but we want a full-fledged service, so that our produce reaches across country on time,” he said.

He said on the Mughal road, which connects Kashmir with Jammu region, vehicles beyond 10 tyres were not allowed. “Most of our produce is transported in heavy trucks with 10 to 16 tyres. So, round-the-clock movement of at least 10-tyre trucks on the Mughal road should be allowed.” Officials said Kashmir produces around two million metric tonnes of apples every year. The apple industry was estimated to be worth Rs 10,000 crore, they said.

Fruit Mandi Sopore president Fayaz Ahmad Malik echoed Ahmad’s views. “In the peak season, we have 300 trucks leaving per day from Kashmir for different parts of the country. We need train services so that apple fruit reaches destinations across the country. There should be direct trains for ferrying fruit,” he said.

Demands from political parties

In the Valley, political parties in Kashmir have also raised the issue. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X this week, said, "Fruit growers have been facing severe financial losses every year due to the closure of NH-44. Unfortunately, this year the road has once again been closed leaving hundreds of fruit-laden vehicles stranded resulting in inevitable losses." She urged the Central Government to intervene and expedite rail connectivity for apple transportation.

Northern Railways, meanwhile, has already said it would begin a daily Joint Parcel Product - Railway Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) between Budgam and New Delhi by September end.