Srinagar, Sep 11, 2025 : The prolonged closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway due to heavy rainfall is causing massive losses to Kashmir’s apple growers during the peak harvest season.
Hundreds of trucks laden with apples remain stranded, damaging produce and causing prices to plummet. Normally, around 1,000 trucks transport apples daily, but now only a few small vehicles manage via the Mughal Road.
Bashir Ahmed, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Union, estimates losses between ₹500–700 crore and calls the situation “the worst in years.” Growers are pleading with authorities for priority passage of fruit trucks to avoid further damage.
The crisis is compounded by delays in starting goods trains due to damaged railway tracks, leaving farmers like Abdul Qayoom from Pulwama desperate as their apples rot.
Fayaz Ahmad Malik, President of Sopore Fruit Mandi, warns: “Urgent action is needed to save this vital industry.”
