The fruit growers of parts of north Kashmir Saturday held a peaceful protest at Asia’s second-largest fruit mandi against halting of fruit laden trucks on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway by the authorities.
The protesting fruit growers termed the decision of the government as unfortunate and a step to weaken the fruit industry of Kashmir.
They said that the people affiliated with this industry will suffer and stopping trucks loaded with fresh fruits on the national highway will incur huge losses to the fruit growers.
President Fruit Mandi Sopore, Fayaz Ahmed Malik said that the fruit growers of Kashmir have already suffered heavy losses during the last two years due to the pandemic.
“Yatris are our guests and we welcome them. But the steps taken by the administration for stopping fresh fruit-laden trucks along the highway in view of Amarnath Yatra is worrisome as it is causing huge losses to the fruit industry. The harvesting of plum, peach, pear and early varieties of apple is nowadays in its full swing and these seasonal fruit rots easily if not delivered to the destinations immediately,” Malik added.
He also said that Yatris are welcome to Kashmir but the administration must consider and take immediate steps for transportation of fresh fruit-laden trucks, so that growers do not face any losses.
A protesting fruit grower said that nearly 70-100 vehicles of fresh fruit leave Sopore fruit Mandi on a daily basis and smooth transportation must be a priority.
“The pilgrims are not visiting Kashmir for the first time. Earlier they used to visit Kashmir on a holy pilgrimage but this time UT administration is hell bent to make people suffer here in the guise of Yatris. The government should allow trucks on national highways at earliest so that this industry will not suffer anymore. We dispatch the vehicles with stickers according to the guidelines laid by the government but it seems there is a lack of communication between the administration of Srinagar and Jammu. Our fruit box that used to sell in the market for 300-400 rupees doesn’t even sell at 80 rupees this time and if it remains the same then we will be forced to chop the fruit orchards and seek some other business,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention that Sopore Fruit Mandi is the biggest economic hub for Kashmir. According to reports the yearly turnover is approximately Rs 2600 Crore. It is the largest wholesale fruit market in Kashmir, and the second-largest in Asia after Azadpur in Delhi.
