As apple growers across the Kashmir region enter the critical harvesting months of September and October, all fruit mandis in the Kashmir division observed a two-day strike to protest the prolonged closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. The highway, a vital artery for the region’s horticulture industry, has been closed for over two weeks, leading to severe congestion and significant financial losses estimated at around ₹700 crores.
The closure comes during peak apple harvesting season, with Kashmir accounting for approximately 78% of India’s total apple production. The industry not only contributes about 15% to the region’s GDP but also yields around 2.5 million metric tonnes of apples annually, generating an estimated economic value of ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 crores.
Mohammad Amin Wani, President of the Handwara Fruit Association, expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “It’s been around 20 days since the National Highway was closed, which has led to losses of crores of rupees. We are protesting solely for the immediate reopening of the highway. It’s unfortunate that our district has six MLAs who have not uttered a word about this crisis. They seem more concerned about themselves than the plight of the farmers.”
Some fruit growers have suggested that the government should hand over control of the National Highway to the Indian Army, citing a lack of action from the local government regarding the ongoing blockade and its impact on their livelihoods.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah responded to the crisis by urging the Union Government to transfer control of the highway to the Jammu and Kashmir administration if they are unable to maintain it effectively. “This highway falls under the jurisdiction of the Government of India. If they cannot maintain it, they should hand it over to us,” Abdullah said while talking to reporters in Srinagar. He emphasized the urgency of the situation and expressed disappointment over unfulfilled promises from authorities regarding restoration efforts.
The crisis has sparked political tussle, with opposition parties such as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Conference and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) criticizing Abdullah’s government for its handling of the situation. PDP leader Iltija Mufti accused Abdullah of being insensitive to the struggles faced by fruit growers and suggested he should resign if conditions do not improve.
AIP workers, led by MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed, also staged a protest in Srinagar demanding immediate restoration of traffic for heavy motor vehicles on the highway to prevent further collapse of the Valley’s horticulture sector.
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