For a fifth consecutive day, the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) has plunged Kashmir’s fruit industry into a severe crisis, sparking fears of massive financial losses during the peak harvest season reported news agency KINS.
Traders and growers have issued urgent warnings, estimating potential losses could amount to crores of rupees if the vital arterial route is not reopened immediately.
Fayaz Ahmad Malik ‘Kaka’, President of the Fruit Mandi in Sopore—the largest wholesale fruit market in Kashmir and the second largest in Asia—expressed grave concern over the situation.
“Approximately 300 to 400 trucks laden with pears and other early-season fruit are currently stranded on the highway. Any further delay will result in crores in losses. This trade supports lakhs of people, and perishable produce cannot be held indefinitely,” he stated.
Malik acknowledged the hardship faced by communities affected by flooding in Jammu but emphasized that the prolonged blockade is severely damaging Kashmir’s horticulture sector.
“Our orchards are ripe, the mandis are overflowing, and trucks have been immobilized for days. If this continues, it is the small-scale growers and traders who will bear the brunt. Horticulture is the backbone of our economy, and it is now under serious threat,” he added.
The highway remains closed due to persistent rainfall and multiple mudslides, with a major slide reported at Samruli. Official sources indicate that clearance operations are underway 24/7, but adverse weather conditions and extensive damage have hampered progress.
Critical early varieties such as Bagogosha pears, Galamast, and Red Ghala apples are stranded en route to markets outside the Valley.
Meanwhile, vast quantities of produce remain unharvested in orchards across key growing regions including Sopore, Shopian, Pulwama, and Srinagar reported news agency KINS.
