Twin crisis in Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 14: Kashmir is reeling under a twin crisis as many petrol pumps run out of fuel and fruit mandis shut down in protest, after the movement of heavy vehicles remained stalled on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

The highway was closed on September 9 following flash floods and massive landslides near Ramban and Udhampur, leaving thousands of trucks stranded.

Although it was partially reopened on September 11, chaos and mismanagement continue to cripple supplies.

The 270-km highway, a critical lifeline for the region, has turned into a scene of frustration for commuters and truckers alike.

What used to be a nearly five-hour journey three weeks ago now drags on for more than 12 hours, owing to damaged stretches and poor regulation of traffic.

The worst bottlenecks are reported between Nashri and Udhampur, where the road suffered extensive damage during the record rainfall of August 26 and 27.

Even though authorities have allowed one-way traffic, the lack of proper management has made matters worse.

Truckers, still not officially permitted to ply, have lined up along one side of the road, choking the highway almost throughout its length.

Continuous restoration work at damaged points has further slowed movement, leaving essential supplies cut off from the Valley.

The fuel crisis has worsened sharply.

Dozens of petrol pumps across Kashmir shut down shutters on Sunday after running out of stock, with long queues outside the few that remained open.

“I have been waiting in line for over two hours, but the petrol finished before my turn. How will we manage without fuel?” asked Farhan Ahmad, a motorist from Bemina.

Petroleum dealers said they had no reserves left.

“As petroleum tankers remain stranded, many petroleum pumps are already closed. If the situation doesn’t improve in the next few days, the Valley will face a complete dry-out,” said a representative of the Kashmir Valley Petroleum Dealers Association.

The blockade has also dealt a crippling blow to Kashmir’s Rs 20,000 horticulture industry at the peak of the apple harvest season.

Hundreds of fruit-laden trucks remain stranded, triggering fears of massive spoilage.

“Every truck stuck means fruit rotting before it reaches markets in Delhi and beyond. This is a disaster for our economy. Losses are already in hundreds of crores,” said Ghulam Nabi, an orchardist from Shopian.

In protest, fruit growers and dealers announced a two-day shutdown of all mandis in the Valley on September 14 and 15.

“All mandis will remain closed. Growers are advised not to send fresh consignments as markets are jam-packed. We also urge orchardists not to rush harvesting until the road is cleared,” said Bashir Ahmad,  Chairman Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union.

Transporters say the uncertainty has paralysed their work.

“Hundreds of our trucks have been stranded for nearly a week in Ramban. Drivers are in distress and businesses are paralysed. We need a dedicated corridor for perishables and tankers. This stop-start reopening is not enough,” said Shabir Ahmad, a transporter from Anantnag.

Officials insist that restoration work is continuing on a “war footing.”

“The floods and landslides caused major damage between Udhampur and Ramban. NHAI, BRO, and district teams are working round the clock. While the road is operational for light traffic. We are prioritising stranded fruit trucks and fuel tankers,” said a senior Traffic Police officer.

The crisis has reignited debate over Kashmir’s over-dependence on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Experts point out that the highway, cutting through unstable mountain slopes, is highly vulnerable to slides and extreme weather.

Seasonal alternatives like the Mughal Road and Sinthan Top cannot carry the load year-round, while long-promised railway links and tunnels remain unfinished.

“This is not just an inconvenience, it’s an existential threat to our economy,” said Abdul Majid, a university teacher in Srinagar. “Until we have an all-weather alternative, we will remain hostage to one road — and every monsoon, a few days of rain will push us into chaos.”