Fruit growers union urges Govt to permit plying of trucks on Mughal Road

Srinagar, Aug 29: The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union has urged the Government to permit the operation of 6-10 tyre trucks along the Mughal Road which serves as the sole alternative route to the Srinagar-Jammu during this time period, This measure is essential for the timely transportation of  Valley’s perishable fruits to their intended destinations.Basheer Ahmad Basheer, the Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union, informed Rising Kashmir that the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH44) is the only route connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country. Currently, numerous trucks loaded with various fruits, including Bagogosha (Pear), Galamast, Red Ghala Apple, and other early apple varieties, are stranded on NH44 due to road damage at multiple locations, which has persisted for several days.”The fruit markets in valley are currently overwhelmed with consignments of fresh fruits such as Babaghosha, Galamast, and Red Ghala, awaiting transportation outside J&K to various destinations, but they are deteriorating,” he said.Basheer said that a significant quantity of these perishable fruits remains in valley’s orchards; however, the ongoing blockages on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH44) have prevented their transportation. The fruit growers are deeply concerned about the potential for substantial losses.”At present, hundreds of trucks laden with fresh fruits, including Bagogosha (Pear), Galamast, and Red Ghala, are stuck on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH44), risking total spoilage. Although the Government has permitted the use of six-wheeled vehicles on the Mughal Road, these vehicles are inadequate for transporting Bagogosha (Pear), Red Ghala, and Ghala,” he said.”The horticulture industry in Jammu and Kashmir is regarded as the ‘backbone’ and a primary contributor to the economy of J&K, with over 700,000 families being directly or indirectly reliant on this sector. The Kashmir Valley has been aptly referred to as the ‘Land of Fruits’ and the ‘Fruit Bowl’ of Northern India,” Basheer added.