The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, Sept 5: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Friday expressed grave concern over the week-long closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, warning that the blockade has crippled trade and pushed Valley markets into crisis.
The Chamber said hundreds of trucks carrying fruits, vegetables, livestock, groceries, and other essentials remain stranded on the highway, resulting in shortages and a sharp rise in prices of daily-use products.
While landslides and bad weather have caused the closure, KCCI said the absence of a contingency plan to maintain the flow of supplies has aggravated the situation. “This has once again exposed Kashmir’s heavy dependence on a single road link for its survival,” the statement read.
The horticulture sector, the backbone of the Valley’s economy, is facing massive losses with fruit-laden trucks stranded for days. Perishable commodities such as vegetables, dairy products, poultry, and livestock have also been severely hit, while shortages of groceries and household goods are straining traders, transporters, and consumers.
KCCI urged the administration, including the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister, to immediately allow heavy vehicle movement on the Mughal Road until the highway is fully restored. “Utilising the Mughal Road as an alternative route is critical to prevent a deeper economic and social crisis,” it said.
The Chamber also appealed to local traders, wholesalers, and retailers to maintain stable prices and avoid profiteering, stressing the need for collective responsibility in this difficult period.
Calling for a long-term strategy, KCCI demanded a structured contingency plan to deal with recurring closures caused by weather and landslides. It said uninterrupted supplies of essentials and protection of Kashmir’s economic lifeline must be treated as a top priority.
“The government must act decisively to restore normalcy, ensure smooth supply of goods, and develop lasting alternatives so that such crises do not repeat,” the Chamber said.
