Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has appealed to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to operate special trains between Kashmir and the rest of India to move essential goods and transport fruit to terminal markets.
The Jammu-Srinagar national highway has been closed due to heavy rains and landslides, leaving hundreds of trucks carrying horticultural produce stranded. "Our (railway) tracks are open. I will request the Rail Minister if two to four special trains can be operated for bringing in essential supplies to Kashmir and taking out fruit from here, people will get some relief," Abdullah told reporters.
He said Jammu and Kashmir has faced losses from the floods and their aftermath. "Lives have been lost in Kishtwar, residential houses and shops have been damaged, and government infrastructure has also suffered due to floods. Fruit was not damaged by the rains but is rotting in the trucks due to the closure of the highway," he added.
An inter-ministerial central team has visited Jammu and Kashmir to assess the losses, following Union Home Minister Amit Shah's earlier inspection of flood-affected areas. Abdullah stressed that compensation is expected from the Centre.
Fruit exports remain central to the region's economy, with apples, pears, and other produce transported from Kashmir to major wholesale markets across India. The closure of the highway, the primary road link for such shipments, has disrupted supply flows at the start of the marketing season.
Abdullah underlined the importance of timely relief for growers, noting that perishable fruits cannot withstand extended delays. "Fruit was not damaged by the rains but is rotting in the trucks due to the closure of the highway," he reiterated.
Source: ET Infra