Srinagar: Hundreds of fruit-laden trucks carrying perishable apples to outside markets remain stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to road restoration and slope stabilization works.
Driver Mohammad Ashraf said “We are carrying fruit-laden trucks, and the shelf life of the produce is very limited. If the highway remains closed for long, the fruit will start deteriorating, which will lead to heavy financial losses for growers as well as transporters.” Drivers questioned the timing of the maintenance, with one noting, “We don’t understand why the highway maintenance work is always taken up during the peak apple season. Thousands of fruit-laden trucks use this road at this time of the year. If the work had to be carried out, it could have been planned before or after the season. Every day’s delay means huge losses for growers and transporters because the fruit has a limited shelf life.” PDP leader Iltija Mufti visited Qazigund, calling the closure a “conspiracy” and warning, “If the highway is not reopened, we will come here tomorrow and stage a protest.” Fruit Growers Association President Bashir Ahmad Bashir highlighted that alternate routes like Mughal Road are unviable for heavy trucks, urging immediate government action to prevent a repeat of past losses.
