Srinagar, Sept 18: Fruit traders in Kashmir were forced to dump truckloads of rotten apples on Tuesday after a three-week closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the region’s main road link, stranded hundreds of vehicles during peak harvest season.
A 300-metre stretch in Udhampur district, damaged by landslips and land subsidence following heavy rains, has cut off supplies of the Valley’s most critical cash crop. J&K produces about 70% of India’s apples, supporting nearly 3.5 million families.
In Kulgam and Sopore, distressing scenes showed growers unloading spoiled apples from stranded trucks. “I promised to pay ₹300 per box and hoped to sell for double outside J&K. I have nothing but rotten apples now,” said Javeed Ahmad Rather, a trader burying 2,000 boxes after his consignment sat for 10 days at a checkpoint.
Losses are expected to run into several hundred crores of rupees, farmers and traders said, noting that most growers lack crop insurance. “It has all gone to waste. The impact will ripple across Kashmir’s economy,” said Shahid Dar, an apple grower from Kulgam.
Political leaders called for urgent intervention. CPI(M) legislator M.Y. Tarigami demanded revival of the Market Intervention Scheme and inclusion of apples under the crop insurance programme. National Conference MP Syed Aga Ruhullah accused the government of “deliberately squeezing” the Valley’s economy, while PDP leader Iltija Mufti raised the issue with the lieutenant-governor.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, under criticism from rivals and allies alike, joined a virtual meeting with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, pressing for urgent clearance of stranded trucks. Gadkari assured him that restoration of the highway was a priority, officials said.
