The fruit mandis across Kashmir remained shut on Monday after fruit growers and traders and orchardists staged demonstrations against the government’s inability to guarantee unhindered travel for trucks carrying apples and other produce along the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway.

The closure was called jointly by fruit growers’ associations and traders.
Fruit mandis across Kashmir, including Asia’s second-largest in Sopore, remained shut today in protest against the government’s failure to ensure smooth movement of fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu highway.
A protest was held at Sopore fruit mandi, where growers urged the government to streamline transportation on the highway, saying they have suffered massive losses due to frequent closures over the past three weeks.
While welcoming the launch of a dedicated parcel train service from Budgam to Delhi today, the growers said the facility was not sufficient to transport the large quantity of apples harvested in the Valley.
The fruit growers claimed losses of over Rs 1000 crores due to continued closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway.
“Everyone, from growers to transporters to buyers, is suffering due to the closure of the highway,” said Fayaz Ahmad Malik, president of the Sopore Fruit Mandi.
Malik accused the Omar Abdullah government of being indifferent to the plight of fruit growers.
“Out of the 60 Assembly members from Kashmir, not a single one spoke on the fruit issue. I also warn our Chief Minister to resign if he is not able to address our concerns,” he said.
Malik warned that if the highway was not restored within 48 hours, fruit growers would call for a valley-wide strike.
Fruit mandis in Sopore, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag, and other towns remained closed yesterday and today in response to the two-day shutdown call.
The continued highway disruption has dealt a severe blow to the fruit industry.
Under normal circumstances, nearly 1,000 trucks loaded with apples leave the Valley daily for markets across the country. At present, however, about 3000 trucks are stranded on the highway.
The fruit mandis in Shopian, Kulgam, Handwara, Anantnag and other parts of the Valley also suspended work as part of a two-day protest on September 14 and 15.
Growers’ associations said the horticulture sector, which sustains thousands of families and contributes significantly to the Valley’s economy, is facing an unprecedented crisis if the situation is not resolved quickly.