A delegation of Jammu and Kashmir Fruits & Vegetable Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) called on Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah at Raabita Public Outreach Office here and raised the issue of closure of National Highway in view of the peak fruit season in valley.

The delegation, while interacting with the Chief Minister, sought immediate intervention of the Government to ensure uninterrupted movement of fruit and vegetable laden trucks from Kashmir to outside Mandis. They also sought streamlined passage of fruit and vegetable laden trucks, no arbitrary halts, alternate routes, dedicated transport corridor, priority movement status for fruit laden trucks as well as immediate start of Railway Cargo Service to ensure faster and direct transportation of the valley’s fruit produce to national markets.

While interacting with the delegation, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured the association members that the government is fully aware of the gravity of the situation and NH-44 restoration is being monitored on hourly basis. He emphasized that all possible measures are being explored to restore highway connectivity at the earliest, while long-term solutions are also being explored to prevent such issues in future peak seasons.

The Chief Minister further assured the delegation that the introduction of Railway Cargo Service for fruit produce of Kashmir has already been raised with the Union Ministry of Railways and additional rakes have been requested from them for smooth transportation of fruit produce.