ConstituencySpeaks: Sopore’s key demands focus on fruit industry & sanitation

Srinagar, Sept 20:As the third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections approaches, the residents of Sopore, a historic town in Baramulla district, are raising their voices for the upgradation of the Sopore Fruit Mandi and the implementation of scientific solid waste management in the town.
The Sopore Fruit Mandi, renowned as Asia’s second-largest fruit market, serves as a crucial economic hub for traders and growers across north Kashmir. Mohammad LateefJaan, an apple grower from Sopore, highlighted the importance of this mandi. “Established decades ago, it has grown in size and influence, but its infrastructure remains outdated. Modern facilities are essential to support the continued growth of the fruit industry in Kashmir,” he said.
Mudasir Ahmad, another grower, echoed these concerns. “The mandi has served us well, but times have changed, and so have the needs of the business. We need modern infrastructure, improved roads, and a cold storage facility to help growers store excess produce during harvest seasons,” he stated, emphasizing the need for government-backed cold storage to prevent financial losses due to unsold produce.
Adding to the concerns, Ghulam Mohammad Wani, a businessman from Sopore, recalled the town’s past as “Chota London,” a title earned for its thriving economy and vibrant cultural scene in the 1950s and 60s. “Sopore was once a bustling town with international trade connections. The town was alive with the promise of prosperity, but it was burned down twice during the turmoil. Whoever comes to power should focus on reviving that golden era,” he said.
Sakeel Hassan Andarabi, a local resident, raised the pressing issue of solid waste management in Sopore. “There is no proper sanitation in town. Waste piles up along the banks and roads. We need the government to step in and provide a scientific solution to this growing problem,” he urged.
Residents also stressed the need for upgrading facilities at the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) in Sopore, calling for specialized doctors, modern diagnostic tools, and additional technicians to reduce referrals to tertiary care hospitals.
In the 2014 Assembly elections, Congress candidate Abdul Rashid Dar won the Sopore constituency, while JKNC’s Mohammad Ashraf Ganie claimed victory in 2008. The constituency has 1,12,793 registered voters, including 55,990 males and 56,803 females, with no registered voters from the third gender.
To ensure smooth voting, 129 polling stations have been set up across the constituency. As the election draws near, the people of Sopore hope that their longstanding demands for infrastructure improvements, better healthcare, and waste management will be addressed by the political candidates vying for their votes.