Kashmir’s apples bear the brunt of Srinagar-Jammu highway closure

The continuous closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway following damage caused by heavy rainfall is severely impacting apple growers in the Kashmir Valley. As the peak apple harvest season is underway, growers say they are unable to transport their produce to markets across the country, leading to massive losses.

According to fruit dealers, hundreds of trucks loaded with apples have remained stranded on the highway for days, causing significant damage to the fruit. The highway, which remained closed for nine days, was partially reopened for smaller vehicles on Wednesday, but this has offered little relief.

Bashir Ahmed, chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union, told The Tribune that the current situation is a major setback for the fruit sector. “September is the peak apple harvesting season, and the industry is facing a very tough time,” he said.

Under normal circumstances, around 1,000 trucks carrying apples leave the Valley daily for markets in other states. “That number has now dropped drastically. Only a limited number of small vehicles are able to travel via the Mughal Road, which is not sufficient,” Ahmed said.

He noted that delays in transportation have led to a significant drop in apple prices. “It’s a serious crisis for the growers. We’re just praying for the full restoration of the highway,” he added.

The union estimates the losses to the apple industry to be between Rs 500 crore and Rs 700 crore. “The apples are ready, but we are unable to send them to the markets. This is the most difficult time we’ve seen in years,” Ahmed said.

In a letter to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the union wrote that consignments of fresh fruits such as Babugosha (pear), Gala Mast (apple), Red Gala (apple), and other early-season fruits have been completely damaged in trucks stranded on the highway. “The fruit growers and dealers of the Valley are facing losses running into crores of rupees,” the letter stated.

It also highlighted that the recent heavy rains have devastated many fruit orchards, especially in South Kashmir. “Entire crops and even fruit-bearing trees have been damaged, causing massive losses to growers in the region,” the union added.

The union urged authorities to prioritise the movement of fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44). “All fruit mandis in the Valley are packed with produce that needs to be transported urgently to markets outside J&K. We request that trucks be allowed to ply daily with priority access, even against convoys, so that the fruits can reach their destinations safely,” the letter read.

In South Kashmir, farmers say they are running out of options. “We have worked so hard throughout the year, and now we don’t know what to do with the apples. How will they reach Delhi?” said Abdul Qayoom, a farmer from Pulwama.

Fayaz Ahmad Malik, president of the Sopore Fruit Mandi—Asia’s second-largest fruit market—said, “Apples are rotting in the peak harvest season. Urgent steps are needed to save this vital industry.”

Adding to the growers’ disappointment is the delay in starting goods trains from Kashmir. Officials say damage to railway tracks in the Jammu railway division is preventing the launch of special freight trains.