SRINAGAR: In a major move to bolster the horticulture sector and ensure seamless transportation of fruit produce from Jammu & Kashmir to other parts of the country, Minister Satish Sharma yesterday flagged off fruit-laden trucks of the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) from the Kashmir Valley.
RTO Kashmir Qazi Irfan, JKRTC General Managers, and other senior officials were also present during the ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Satish Sharma emphasized that horticulture forms the backbone of the Union Territory’s economy, supporting the livelihoods of lakhs of families. “Timely transportation of fruits, especially apples, to markets outside the state is essential for securing better prices for growers and maintaining the reputation of Kashmir’s produce nationwide. The government remains fully committed to supporting our farmers and traders,” he said.
He highlighted that JKRTC and the Transport Department, in coordination with relevant agencies, are ensuring smooth movement of fruit-laden vehicles, minimizing delays, and protecting perishable produce from losses. Additional trucks are being deployed in real-time to meet the growing transportation demand from Mandis as the harvest season advances. Traffic management on key routes is also being streamlined to facilitate uninterrupted transit of fruit consignments.
The Minister assured growers and traders of the government’s continued support to make this fruit season a success for Jammu & Kashmir’s horticulture sector and urged them to remain confident in the government’s commitment to safeguarding their economic interests.
Since the initiative launched under the Omar Abdullah government to provide transport support to fruit growers, 158 JKRTC trucks, including trawlers, have been deployed across major fruit Mandis in Shopian, Anantnag, Sopore, and Pulwama to carry produce to markets across India. This coordinated effort is being implemented under the directions of the Chief Minister, who has stressed maximum facilitation for fruit growers and traders during the peak harvest season.
