Srinagar: Leaders from across the political spectrum, including the ruling National Conference (NC), on Wednesday slammed the prolonged closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway during the peak fruit season, calling it a “deliberate ploy” to damage Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. They demanded immediate clearance of fruit-laden trucks stranded on the route.
The 270-km highway, the Valley’s only all-weather road link with the rest of the country, remained shut for nine days last month following heavy rains and flash floods. It was reopened last week but only for light vehicles, leaving thousands of trucks loaded with apples stuck for days, raising fears of massive losses for growers.
Speaking to reporters in Shopian, NC Lok Sabha MP Ruhullah Mehdi alleged a “pattern” of targeted disruption. “Sometimes substandard pesticides are sold, sometimes cheaper apples are imported, and sometimes the highway is blocked. Horticulture contributes over 75% to our GDP—seven times more than tourism. Yet, our sector is under a systematic assault,” he said. Mehdi added that even after reopening, fruit trucks from Srinagar were not being allowed to move while trucks from Jammu were given a pass.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to apprise him of the “crisis” facing Kashmir’s apple industry. She said the LG assured her of expediting smooth passage of trucks to prevent further losses.
Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) staged a protest at Press Colony, accusing the administration of imposing an “economic blockade.” Led by MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed, scores of activists raised slogans of “Save Apple, Save Kashmir” before being dispersed by police. Several leaders, including Khursheed, were detained. “Lakhs of families depend on horticulture. By keeping apple consignments stranded, the administration is crushing Kashmir’s economy,” Khursheed charged.
CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam M.Y. Tarigami also criticised the Centre over the “prolonged closure” and demanded urgent steps to facilitate apple trucks. He said tall claims by highway authorities had failed to resolve the crisis. “This is the crucial season when apple consignments must reach markets nationwide. Instead, growers are bearing heavy losses,” he said.
Tarigami added that recent floods had further worsened the situation, causing damage to crops and premature fall of apples. He criticised SKUAST for failing to provide timely guidance to farmers and pointed out that recommendations of the Dr. Swaminathan Commission on distressed agriculture remain largely unimplemented.
He further highlighted that apple, despite being a vulnerable crop, is excluded from both the Minimum Support Price (MSP) framework and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY). “Insurance companies have earned hundreds of crores since 2016 but refuse to cover apple growers,” he said, urging the reintroduction of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to procure rotten apples for juice and jam production.
Tarigami also flagged the acute shortage of cold storage facilities in the Valley and called for sufficient relief measures for growers, traders, and flood victims. “Protecting horticulture means protecting Kashmir’s backbone economy. The government cannot remain indifferent,” he stressed.
