In a meeting convened by the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, Shri Anshul Garg (IAS), to address the critical situation arising from the National Highway blockade, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) Kashmir Chapter presented a strong case for immediate government intervention to safeguard the region's vital horticulture industry.

The meeting, attended by a wide array of senior officials including the IGP Traffic Kashmir, Additional Member (Marketing & Business Development) from the Railway Board, Director FCS&CA, Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Budgam, and representatives from BRO, NHIDCL, and prominent fruit growers associations of Pulwama, Sopore, Shopian, Baramulla, Kupwara and Cold Store Association of Lassipora focused on strategies for the restoration of the National Highway and mitigating the economic impact on apple growers.
The PHDCCI delegation, represented by its Co-Chair, Mr. Himayu Wani and Mr. Bilal Kawoosa, along with Deputy Director Mr. Iqbal Jan, highlighted and seconded the woes of growers about the severe losses faced by the horticulture sector due to the recent calamity. The Chamber vociferously vouched for the immediate creation of a high-level committee to conduct a thorough assessment of the losses and to recommend steps for compensating the apple growers, who form the backbone of Kashmir's economy.
"This is a testing time for the administration, and the government needs to come to the rescue of the major economic activity of Kashmir," stated the PHDCCI representatives. Mr. Wani pointedly questioned the recurring crisis, asking, "Why are we never prepared before the harvest? Why is it only when a calamity happens that we raise a hue and cry?" The Chamber urged the administration to take war-footing action to minimize the damage and prevent a similar situation in the future.
While welcoming the initiation of Parcel Train Services as a positive step, the PHDCCI reiterated the critical need for developing stronger multimodal cargo terminals under the Gati Shakti initiative through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. They emphasized that robust infrastructure and dedicated policy support are essential to build resilience and safeguard the horticulture sector from such disruptions. PHDCCI emphasizes the critical and urgent need for the formulation of a comprehensive Master Plan by the government for the timely evacuation of apples and other horticulture produce. The growers responsibility is to cultivate and produce high quality market ready fruit and the government`s imperative responsibility is to provide and manage the essential infrastructure, logistics and strategic planning.
In response, the Divisional Commissioner, Shri Anshul Garg, assured the gathering that the administration is taking all necessary measures to facilitate the evacuation of stranded fruit-laden trucks through both the National Highway and the Mughal Road. He also stated that all valley-bound vehicles carrying essential commodities, including petrol, diesel, and LPG, are being prioritized and facilitated through a dedicated Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) to ensure the requirements of the general public are met without disruption.