J&K NH disruption: Fruit-laden trucks move via Mughal Road, Railways transport 2000 tonnes of apple

Kashmir’s Apple Farmers Get a Lifeline Amid Highway Crisis

In the heart of Kashmir, fruit growers are battling big challenges, but help is on the way. Even with the Srinagar-Jammu national highway blocked for weeks, around 1,200 trucks loaded with fresh apples and other fruits have made their way out of the Valley. This comes as a huge relief for the region’s booming horticulture industry, which relies heavily on timely transport to markets.

Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg took charge personally, overseeing the convoy of these 1,200 apple-laden trucks. They traveled via the alternate Mughal Road route to dodge the highway mess. The blockage started in late August when a 50-60 meter section near Tharad Bridge in Udhampur caved in. Border roads teams are working non-stop with heavy machinery to fix it or build a bypass, but it’s taking time.

Top officials are keeping a close eye on things. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently met with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to check on the restoration progress. Their hands-on approach shows how seriously everyone is taking this Srinagar-Jammu highway disruption.

Kashmir’s apple growers and traders have faced massive losses—running into crores of rupees. Fruits have been rotting in stranded trucks parked along the highway for days, hitting their livelihoods hard. Last year alone, the Valley produced a whopping 20.4 lakh metric tonnes of apples, making up 70% of India’s total apple output. This crisis is a real blow to that vital sector.

But there’s good news from the railways. Authorities report that they’ve already shipped out 2,000 tonnes of apples from Kashmir to outside markets via train. Since last week, freight trains have carried 1,25,376 boxes of apples straight to Delhi. From Anantnag Railway Station, they dispatched 87,137 boxes, including separate loads of 350 tonnes, 650 tonnes, and 376 tonnes. Budgam Railway Station chipped in with 38,239 boxes, totaling around 600 tonnes.

This rail transport push is a smart move to ease the pressure on Kashmir’s fruit industry during the national highway closure. It’s helping get those premium Kashmiri apples to buyers before they spoil.

The highway woes aren’t just hurting farmers—they’re disrupting daily life across the Valley. Supplies of essential petroleum products like petrol, diesel, and LPG are running low. Petrol pumps are putting up "out of stock" signs, and LPG dealers are struggling with shortages. Even everyday items are getting pricey: poultry products such as chickens and eggs are selling at sky-high rates, while vegetable prices keep climbing day by day.

As repair work continues on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, locals hope for quick fixes to restore normalcy. For now, alternate routes and rail options are keeping Kashmir’s famous apple trade alive.

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