J&K Apple Farmers Federation urges restoration of Sgr-Jmu national highway

Kulgam, Sep 15: The J&K Apple Farmers Federation, district Kulgam, on Monday sounded an alarm over the worsening crisis in Kashmir’s apple industry, blaming the prolonged closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for devastating losses to growers.

Addressing a press conference, Federation President Zahoor Ahmad Rather said apple-laden trucks have been stranded for more than two weeks due to the disruption of traffic movement. “The highway has not been restored for heavy vehicles even after 16 days. Mandis across Kashmir remain shut, and thousands of growers are on the brink of collapse,” he said.

Rather accused the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) of failing in its responsibility. “If the NHAI cannot restore even a one-kilometre stretch of road in over two weeks, then what is its purpose? They should have no right to collect toll tax from apple trucks when growers are left to rot in misery,” he remarked.

The Federation urged the government and NHAI to immediately ensure priority movement for fruit-laden trucks and demanded a comprehensive compensation package for losses already incurred. It also called for a waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans to ease the burden on distressed orchardists.