The Biz Reporter
Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has expressed serious concern over the recurring disruption in the movement of fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), urging the administration to establish a dedicated Green Corridor for the hassle-free movement of perishable horticultural produce during the peak harvesting season.
The Chamber said the dispatch of early apple varieties, particularly Gala, along with plums and other perishable fruits, has commenced at a time when intermittent highway disruptions caused by landslides, cloudbursts, shooting stones, flash floods, adverse weather conditions and restoration works have increased the risk of delays in reaching markets outside Jammu and Kashmir.
Describing horticulture as the backbone of the Union Territory’s economy, KCCI said the apple industry alone sustains lakhs of families and contributes nearly Rs. 12,000 crore annually to the economy. Since almost the entire apple crop is transported through NH-44 to wholesale markets across the country, uninterrupted road connectivity is critical for preserving fruit quality, ensuring timely market arrivals, maintaining price competitiveness and safeguarding growers’ incomes.
The Chamber noted that nearly 100 to 120 trucks loaded with fresh fruit are presently leaving the Valley every day during the ongoing harvesting phase. This volume, it said, can be managed efficiently if dedicated time slots or priority passage are provided for vehicles carrying perishable consignments. Such an arrangement would ensure smooth traffic management while preventing avoidable delays that directly impact the quality and market value of fresh fruit.
KCCI observed that even short delays can significantly diminish the market value of highly perishable early-season varieties, disrupt the supply chain, increase freight charges due to prolonged transit, lead to additional loading and unloading expenses, escalate fuel and labour costs, delay payments to growers and traders, and adversely affect buyers’ confidence in Kashmir’s produce.
The Chamber acknowledged the challenges faced by the authorities in maintaining the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in the wake of frequent landslides, shooting stones, cloudbursts and other weather-related incidents. However, it stressed that every possible effort must be made to minimise disruptions and facilitate the swift movement of fruit-laden trucks during the harvesting season.
KCCI urged the authorities to establish a dedicated “Green Corridor” on NH-44 for fruit-laden trucks during the harvesting season to ensure priority passage for perishable consignments. The Chamber also called for close coordination among the Traffic Police, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), district administrations and the Horticulture Department for rapid clearance of road blockages, prompt restoration of traffic following weather-related disruptions, and regular dissemination of real-time traffic advisories to growers, traders and transporters.
The Chamber said the Mughal Road cannot be considered a viable alternative for the transportation of Kashmir’s fruit produce. The existing infrastructure is not designed to accommodate the large volume of heavy commercial vehicles engaged in the horticulture trade. Most apple consignments are transported in 12-tyre and 16-tyre trucks, whereas the Mughal Road is more suitable for smaller vehicles. Diverting heavy fruit-laden trucks through the alternative route not only increases travel time and transportation costs but also exposes the highly perishable produce to greater risk of damage and quality deterioration. Consequently, NH-44 remains the only practical and economically viable surface corridor for the movement of Kashmir’s horticultural produce to markets across the country.
KCCI emphasised that every hour of delay in transporting perishable fruit results in deterioration of quality, lower market prices and substantial financial losses for growers, traders and transporters. It, therefore, appealed to the administration to accord the highest priority to the uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks and adopt all necessary measures to prevent avoidable delays during the harvesting season.
The Chamber has sought the personal intervention of Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha and Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah to ensure that fruit-laden trucks receive priority passage on NH-44 throughout the harvesting season. KCCI expressed confidence that their timely intervention would help protect the interests of lakhs of growers, traders and transporters while safeguarding Jammu and Kashmir’s vital horticulture economy.
