Highway Closure Sparks Economic Outcry from Kashmir’s Fruit Growers Amid Apple-Season Crisis

Apple growers and political leaders in Jammu & Kashmir are raising alarm over the prolonged closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), calling it an “economic assault” on the valley just as apple harvesting is entering a critical period. For over two weeks, fruit-laden trucks have been delayed or stranded along the highway—lost traffic due to landslides caused by recent rainfall has choked this vital transport route. Growers estimate financial losses running into hundreds of crores of rupees, citing spoilage, missed market windows, and lack of alternative routes. In protest, all fruit mandis in Kashmir observed a strike for two days, halting operations in key wholesale markets. Leaders from the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and other local political outfits have demanded immediate restoration of highway access for heavy vehicles. On the political side, PDP leader Iltija Mufti met the Lieutenant Governor to highlight the plight of growers. She warned that continued disruption could irreversibly damage Kashmir’s horticulture economy. As a partial mitigation, a parcel train carrying apples was flagged off from Budgam to New Delhi. The move aims to bypass road blockages and help reduce losses. But stakeholders say rail alone is insufficient, given the scale of the produce and urgency of the harvest. The closure of NH-44 has also disrupted the movement of other essential goods and increased transport costs drastically. Many orchards are remote, and poor local roads mean delays are multiplied. Growers in Udhampur, where many trucks are stuck, face additional spoilage from waiting. Authorities, acknowledging the crisis, have promised to fast-track repair of landslide-affected stretches, deploy additional earth-moving equipment, and coordinate with weather-monitoring agencies. However, local voices argue that these responses are too slow and too late for much of the crop already lost. Until the highway is fully restored, apple growers remain in limbo—protected neither fully by governmental promises nor by existing transport alternatives. The stakes are high: apples are a mainstay for Kashmir’s economy and livelihoods of thousands of farmers depend on timely harvest and market access.