Ensure hassle-free movement of fruit laden trucks: KCCI appeals govt

Srinagar, Sep 26: Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) Monday expressed concerned over trucks carrying apples stranded at national highway.
KCC&I president, Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad said any delay in solving the problem can badly hit the Kashmir economy, mostly dependent on apple trade.
KCC&I said that if fruit does not reach markets outside J&K on time, its quality gets badly affected leading to financial losses to them.
“Around 7 lakh farming families, approximately 35 lakh people, are directly or indirectly associated with the horticulture sector. Apples contribute to around 8% of Jammu and Kashmir’s gross domestic product. There are ten fruit mandis in the valley which include Srinagar, Sopore, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Pachhar, Anantnag, Handwara, Baramulla and Ganderbal. When the trucks are stopped for days, it directly affects the fruit and fruits often rot until trucks reach mandis, Ashiq said.The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir government to make the passage of vehicles easy so that fruit growers do not face losses.