Srinagar, Aug 30: After days of complete suspension, authorities on Saturday allowed partial movement of essential vehicles on the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, even as hundreds of fruit-laden trucks remain stranded, raising fears of massive losses to Kashmir’s horticulture sector.
Speaking to reporters, SSP Traffic NHW Raja Adil said that the restoration works were underway at multiple spots affected by landslides in the Udhampur–Ramban stretch. “We are on it to ensure traffic flows smoothly. However, commuters must wait for clearance from the control room before planning their travel,” he advised.
Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Saloni Rai, who reviewed the situation at Bali Nallah, said heavy rains had delayed repair work at several locations. “The restoration works resumed after a brief disruption. From this evening, vehicular movement of essential heavy motor vehicles shall be allowed,” she said.
Despite the limited relief, fruit growers remain alarmed. Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, said over 700–800 trucks carrying Bagogosha pears, Galamast and Red Ghala apples are still stranded. “Fruit mandis are packed with consignments losing shelf life. Orchards are full of harvested fruit that cannot be dispatched. Unless fruit trucks are allowed priority passage, growers will suffer irreparable damage,” he warned.
At Sopore Fruit Mandi, considered Asia’s second largest, President Fayaz Ahmad Malik said trade has come to a near standstill. “From over 100 trucks daily, we are down to barely 20. Perishable items like Bagogosha cannot survive these delays. The horticulture sector is staring at losses of crores if the highway is not fully restored soon,” he said.
“Growers have been asked to halt dispatches”, he added.
The highway has remained closed for four straight days due to heavy rains and landslides in the Udhampur–Ramban sector. More than 2,000 vehicles, including trucks and passenger carriers are stranded across Lakhanpur, Jammu, Udhampur, Nagrota and Qazigund.
Meanwhile, growers and traders have appealed to the government for priority clearance of fruit-laden trucks, warning that continued delay could cripple Kashmir’s apple economy, which sustains thousands of families across the valley. (KNO)
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