Highway closure chokes Kashmir’s mutton supply amid peak wedding season

Srinagar, Sep 2: The closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway has triggered a mutton crisis in Kashmir, with supplies dwindling at a time when demand is soaring due to the ongoing marriage season.

Kashmir consumes more than 100 truckloads of mutton daily during this period, but the frequent highway blockades have drastically reduced the inflow.

The road remained closed for six of the past seven days, leaving trucks carrying livestock stranded on different stretches.

General Secretary of the All Kashmir Mutton Dealers Union, Mehrajuddin Ganie, said the crisis has hit the trade hard.

“Our entire supply chain depends on the highway. In normal circumstances, trucks loaded with livestock would leave outside mandis and reach Kashmir within 24 hours. Now, because of the diversions through the Mughal Road, the same journey takes almost three days. This not only delays the supplies but also puts stress on animals and drivers. We cannot sustain such delays, especially when demand is at its peak,” he said.

Ganie said that the timing of the disruption has worsened the situation.

“This is the peak marriage season, and the demand for mutton is at its highest. Many dealers have been forced to stop retail sales so that they can honour prior commitments made to families for weddings. Imagine the embarrassment for a family that has invited hundreds of guests but cannot get the mutton they ordered. That is why we are prioritising bulk orders and cutting back on open market sales,” he said.

The union has urged the administration to intervene.

“We appeal that livestock vehicles should be allowed to proceed towards Kashmir on priority whenever the highway is opened. Otherwise, there is a risk of mortality in sheep and goats. If animals die en route, it is a total loss to the trader and a blow to consumers in the Valley who are already facing shortages,” Ganie said.

Retailers across Srinagar confirmed the strain.

“I had to shut my shop for two days because I simply had nothing to sell,” said Nazir Ahmad, a butcher in Soura. “Customers walk in, but I can’t give them anything. Prices have already started going up in the few shops where mutton is available.”

Consumers are equally worried.

“My son’s wedding is next week, and we had ordered mutton well in advance. But the dealer told us yesterday he may not be able to supply the full quantity. We are anxious because everything depends on this,” said Ghulam Nabi, a Srinagar resident.

Officials said they are monitoring the situation.

“The highway is vulnerable to landslides in Ramban and Banihal, and heavy rain has worsened the condition. We are working to clear the stranded vehicles as soon as possible,” a senior Traffic Department officer said.

With the highway’s unpredictability showing no signs of easing and alternative routes like the Mughal Road unable to meet the Valley’s requirements, Kashmir is staring at a deepening mutton crisis that could worsen if supplies are not restored quickly.