The Divisional Administration has reported the evacuation of 4,873 fruit-laden trucks over the past two days, supervised by IG Traffic. This included 2,239 trucks via the National Highway and 2,634 via the Mughal Road. An additional 500 trucks are scheduled to be dispatched from Qazigund later tonight, which will clear the remaining backlog of stranded vehicles.
The Divisional Administration stated that resources were mobilized under the guidance of Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to expedite the movement of horticultural produce. The Chief Secretary has been monitoring the situation daily with stakeholder departments. Measures have also been taken to ensure the flow of essential goods, including LPG, petrol, diesel, fresh fruit and vegetables, and medicines.
The Srinagar-Jammu highway closure had stranded thousands of trucks for about 15 to 20 days. With restoration now allowing heavy trucks to move, produce is heading to different markets across the country. Losses to fruit growers and traders are estimated at over Rs 1000 crore (US$120 million).
Kashmir Inc has urged the government to ensure the smooth transportation of apples to external markets. "Talking about final loss figures is premature, as hundreds of vehicles are still stranded. Fruit growers are facing a very difficult phase. It is being reported that fruit stuck on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, if rotten or damaged, will fetch far lesser prices in mandis outside. This is a grave situation for our horticulture sector, which generates nearly 9 crore mandays annually and contributes around Rs 20,000 crore (US$2.4 billion) to the economy – the highest revenue generator for Kashmir," said Bashir Ahmad Basheer of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union.
Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation President Muhammad Yaseen Khan added, "This is a tough time for our economy. Fruit growers had high expectations of a good season, but the closure of the highway during the peak harvest has thrown everything into chaos. Trucks are stranded for weeks, losses are mounting with every passing day, and this will have a long-term ripple effect on the economy."
Himayu Wani of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry commented: "Thousands of fruit-laden trucks are stranded, causing immense financial damage. This is a testing time for the administration, and the government must come to the rescue of Kashmir's major economic activity. Why is preparedness lacking year after year?"
The PHDCCI delegation called for highway clearance, alternative evacuation routes, and long-term infrastructure planning. The Kashmir Trade Alliance also pressed for compensation for growers and priority passage for fruit-laden trucks.
The horticulture sector contributes nearly 8% of Jammu and Kashmir's Gross State Domestic Product and sustains more than 3.5 million people. Apple represents about 75% of Kashmir's fruit output, and disruptions during harvest are impacting transport, trade, and retail networks.
Source 1: Greater Kashmir
Source 2: Brighter Kashmir