480 perishable fruit trucks among 1200 cleared by traffic officials
Srinagar: The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway has reopened for heavy motor vehicles after being closed for nearly 16 days due to landslides, flash floods, and significant road damage in Udhampur and Ramban.
The reopening has alleviated the anxiety and financial losses faced by truckers and fruit growers, particularly during the peak apple season. By Thursday evening, approximately 1,200 trucks had crossed Qazigund, with nearly 40 percent of them transporting apples. The prolonged closure had severe repercussions for many drivers, who were forced to sleep in their trucks and manage with minimal food while their perishable cargo deteriorated. The situation had led some truckers into debt, as they worried about the potential loss of their consignments. The reopening of the highway was met with visible relief among drivers, who had endured long waits in challenging conditions, away from their families. The experience highlighted the emotional and financial toll of the blockade, with drivers expressing gratitude for the resumption of traffic and the lifting of a significant burden. The reopening not only represents a return to business but also restores a sense of normalcy for those affected by the extended disruption.
