Lack of cold storage leaving fruit growers at mercy of highway closures: Hakeem Yaseen

Srinagar, Sep 16: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) President and former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen has expressed concern over the frequent closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, stating that it has badly hit the economy of Kashmir, particularly the horticulture sector.

He said it is unfortunate that despite the highway being known for frequent disruptions, successive governments have failed to put in place a long-term and concrete plan to address the crisis.

Yaseen said those who are crying today for the restoration of the highway had enough time and power in the past but failed to deliver.

“Had the governments constructed sufficient cold storage and preservation facilities in the Valley, fruit growers and traders would not have been facing these recurring losses year after year. It is a shame that despite crores being spent under various schemes, only a handful of cold storage units have been established so far, which are insufficient to cater to the Valley’s requirements,” he remarked.