Fruit-laden trucks to move towards Jammu today at 11 AM: IG Traffic

Srinagar, Sep 17: Inspector General of Police (Traffic), M. Suleman Choudhary, on Wednesday said that fruit-laden trucks will be allowed to proceed towards Jammu along the Srinagar-Jammu highway today at 11:00 AM.

Choudhary said that heavy motor vehicles will be permitted to move towards Jammu. “Light motor vehicles should take the Mughal route. Our main priority is to clear fruit-laden trucks,” he stated, adding that they expect to clear most of the stranded trucks heading Jammu.

The IGP had told last evening that 2,800 trucks—mostly carrying fruit—had passed through the Mughal Road on Monday and Tuesday.

The ruling NC-led government has come under sharp criticism from fruit growers and Kashmir-based opposition parties, including the PC and PDP, for failing to ensure the unhindered movement of fruit-laden trucks to markets across the country.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has also faced backlash from various quarters for failing to widen and level a 300-metre stretch constructed at Tahard in Udhampur district, after the existing highway was buried under debris.

According to officials, the poor condition of this stretch is causing significant hindrances to the smooth movement of traffic along the highway.

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the situation along the Srinagar-Jammu highway—(KNO)