Iltija Mufti writes to LG Manoj Sinha over plight of horticulture sector

Srinagar, Sep 16: The Peoples Democratic Party has sounded alarm over the deepening crisis faced by apple growers in Jammu and Kashmir following highway disruptions, with party leader Iltija Mufti writing to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha urging urgent intervention.

In a letter addressed to the Lieutenant Governor, Iltija Mufti highlighted that horticulture forms the backbone of the Union Territory’s economy, contributing nearly 7 percent to the GDP and providing livelihood to over 25 lakh people. She said recent floods, landslides and consequent road closures have brought the apple trade to a standstill.

“The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway has been closed for the past two weeks, causing interminable delays for trucks carrying apples. Heartbreaking visuals of growers dumping their rotten produce have already made grim headlines,” she wrote.

According to her, while trucks carrying steel and livestock have been allowed passage, apple-laden vehicles remain stranded. She noted that even the Mughal Road and Mughal Tunnel have failed to ease the situation due to their narrow capacity.

Iltija Mufti urged the LG administration to expedite repair work on the highway and simultaneously announce an interim relief package to compensate orchardists for the losses they have suffered.

“Horticulture kept our economy and people alive at a time when militancy raged through Kashmir, providing dignity and a steady source of livelihood. It is imperative that we provide some relief at the earliest to end the unfortunate despondency that has engulfed our apple growers,” she appealed.

The PDP’s intervention comes at a crucial time when growers across Kashmir Valley are facing mounting losses during the peak apple season, sparking growing concern among stakeholders about the survival of the sector.[KNT]