News-Youtube-Thumbnail-1-1024x576.jpg" style="width:100%; display:block;" loading="lazy">Kashmir’s apple industry, the pride and backbone of the Valley’s economy, is facing a huge crisis. The reason? Frequent and long closures of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. According to the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, the losses this season alone have already crossed ₹700 crore, and farmers say the situation is only getting worse.
The Union president, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, spoke to the Kashmir News Observer (KNO) and said that the horticulture sector is being “pushed into a crisis” because the elected government has failed to ensure smooth transport for perishable goods like apples and pears.
“Thousands of trucks filled with apples and other fresh fruits are left stranded on the highway for days and even weeks. The silence of the government is shocking. No serious steps are being taken to restore proper traffic movement or to create alternative transport options,” he said.
Basheer warned that every extra hour the trucks remain stuck adds to the losses. The quality and freshness of apples drop, and by the time the fruits reach markets, they are often damaged and fetch poor prices.
Ignoring Available Alternatives
The Union also strongly criticised the government for not using available options. “We have railway connectivity, but no arrangements have been made to transport fruit through trains. This careless attitude is destroying the livelihoods of lakhs of families who depend on horticulture,” Basheer said.
Many growers also shared their frustration. Mohammad Yousuf, a fruit grower from Sopore, said that truckloads of Gala apples and pears are stranded. “The longer the fruit is stuck, the more it deteriorates. Even if it reaches markets later, it won’t sell for the price we expect.”
Mughal Road Not Enough
Some farmers suggested strengthening Mughal Road as an alternative route. But there’s a problem. Restrictions allow only six-tyre vehicles to pass through it. According to Mohammad Ramzan, an orchardist from Pulwama, these smaller trucks cannot carry large loads and rarely make it to important markets.
“These trucks hardly go beyond Delhi. They cannot reach cities like Bangalore, Kanpur, or Chennai, which are very important for our trade,” he explained.
Demand for Rail Transport
Other growers are calling for a complete shift to rail transport. Mohammad Amin from Shopian said, “If the government provides goods trains for fruit, growers won’t face this nightmare again and again. This is the least the government can do for a sector that is the backbone of our economy.”
Growing Anger Among Farmers
The Union has warned that the situation could spiral into an unprecedented crisis if the government does not act immediately. Kashmir’s horticulture sector contributes massively to the Valley’s economy, and any setback here directly impacts lakhs of families.
Growers are demanding urgent action. They want the administration to ensure smooth passage of fruit trucks, strengthen alternative routes like the Mughal Road, and start long-term solutions like rail cargo facilities and dedicated freight corridors.
“Backbone of Kashmir’s Economy” at Risk
Union president says “Apple is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy. If the government fails to protect it, the economic damage will not only hurt farmers but the entire Valley.”
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remains the only surface link connecting Kashmir with the rest of India. But its frequent closures caused by landslides, shooting stones, and traffic mismanagement have repeatedly triggered economic setbacks. This time, growers fear, the damage could be worse than ever before.
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