Srinagar: Over 1.3 lakh metric tonnes of fresh fruit have been transported from the Kashmir Valley to markets across the country in the past 10 days, officials said on Monday.
At a press conference, Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg stated that daily, around 1,500–2,000 trucks loaded with fresh fruit and other goods are dispatched from the valley via the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and the Mughal Road on alternate days.
“In the last 10 days, a total of 1.37 lakh metric tonnes of fruit have been sent from the valley through the National Highway, the Mughal Road, and the newly operational parcel train service,” Garg added.
The Divisional Commissioner explained that the Chief Secretary, in coordination with district administrations, the Border Roads Organisation, traffic authorities, and National Highway officials, recently formulated an SOP to streamline the movement of fresh fruit and essential supplies. Traffic police personnel are monitoring this SOP around the clock.
“If the traffic on a particular day moves from Srinagar to Jammu via the National Highway, then the Mughal Road is used for the opposite direction—from Jammu to Srinagar. This arrangement is reversed the following day, ensuring uninterrupted movement of essential goods to and from the valley,” he said.
Garg also addressed the condition of the National Highway, which had been closed for a long period due to bad weather and landslides. “Restoration work is progressing rapidly. Vehicular movement has increased significantly—from earlier 1,500–2,000 trucks daily to now 3,500–4,000 trucks. Today, nearly 2,000 trucks moved from Qazigund towards Jammu and are expected to reach by evening,” he said.
On the Mughal Road, around 1,800–1,900 trucks moved towards Jammu on Sunday to prioritize the evacuation of fresh fruits.
The Divisional Commissioner highlighted the newly launched parcel train service to New Delhi, which now transports 800–1,000 tonnes of fresh fruits daily. Farmers from north and south Kashmir can conveniently load their produce at Baramulla and Anantnag stations, respectively.
Addressing concerns about essential supplies in the valley, Garg assured that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, LPG, food, or other consumer goods. “Sufficient stocks are available, with at least a week’s supply of fuel and food items. Stocks will be replenished regularly. People are urged not to believe rumours or resort to panic buying,” he said.
