Thousands Of Tonnes Of Apples Rotting In Kashmir Due To Road Closure
Thousands of tons of apples are rotting in trucks stranded along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, with distressed farmers protesting the government's failure to restore the highway for the last 20 days.
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Apple farmers demonstrate as their valuable harvest deteriorates on highways
Srinagar:
Massive quantities of apples are decomposing in trucks stranded along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, causing distressed farmers to protest the government's inability to restore the crucial roadway for the past 20 days.
Images of trucks filled with spoiled apples being discarded near the highway are circulating widely on social media platforms, highlighting the significant damage and financial losses experienced by Kashmir's farmers due to this extended road closure.
Kashmir contributes approximately 80 percent of India's apple production, and this prolonged highway shutdown has severely disrupted the supply chain and threatened the livelihoods of countless farmers.
Horticulture represents the foundation of Kashmir's rural economy. Throughout the year, apple farmers labor diligently in their orchards and invest significantly for a successful harvest. This year has proven exceptionally difficult. In numerous regions, unfavorable weather had already damaged crops, and now the inability to transport produce to markets has gravely affected the local population.
For two consecutive days, markets across Kashmir have remained closed, while apple growers protest as they witness their harvest deteriorating along the roadways.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has characterized the situation as a failure to restore the highway for 20 days. Mr. Abdullah has communicated with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who promised substantive measures within 24 hours to resolve this crisis.
Following last month's intense rainfall and cloudbursts, the Srinagar-Jammu highway sustained substantial damage, particularly near Udhampur. Nearly 300 meters of highway at Thared vanished after being swept away by floodwaters, followed by a massive avalanche. Extensive destruction occurred between the Chenani-Udhampur and Nashri-Banihal sections of the highway.
Despite restoration attempts for this vital transportation link, the highway remains partially inoperable. Consequently, thousands of vehicles remain stranded, primarily apple-laden trucks.
Thousands of crores have been invested in developing the all-weather four-lane Srinagar-Jammu highway. While it initially improved travel conditions and reduced journey times, recent heavy precipitation exposed the vulnerability of this strategic road connection. Many observers believe the highway expansion and construction proceeded without adequate risk assessment or disaster management planning in this geologically unstable region.
The highway also functions as the main supply route for the Indian Army in Kashmir. Typically, heavy military convoy movement occurs daily. Due to the extended highway closure, the Army requisitioned a freight train that delivered initial winter supplies yesterday. On its return journey, the train transported Valley apples to Delhi. However, this offers minimal relief for struggling farmers, considering the volume of apples stranded in markets and along the blocked highway.
Apple growers have organized demonstrations throughout Kashmir, criticizing the government for inaction and failure to anticipate this crisis following the road closure. In Srinagar and surrounding areas, apple growers have shut down all markets. Some have even demanded that the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway be transferred to Army control.
"The government has failed to restore the highway. Let them hand over the highway to the Army. We trust our Army. They can restore it within hours, like they worked after recent floods and erected a bailey bridge over the Tawi river in Jammu," stated a protesting apple grower.
Following these demonstrations, Omar Abdullah expressed frustration regarding the extended highway closure and suggested the central government transfer responsibility to the J&K government if restoration proves impossible.
"The highway falls under the domain of the central government. If they can't handle it, then let them hand it over to us. We waited patiently, but nothing happened," Mr. Abdullah remarked.