Srinagar, Sep 18: Kashmir’s apple orchards are heavy with fruit, but many growers fear much of this year’s harvest may never reach the market. The closure of key highways has not only delayed transport but also caused freight charges to soar, leaving apples at risk of rotting before they can be sold.
In response, the Jammu and Kashmir government has launched measures to ease the crisis. The Transport Department has been directed to form Special Enforcement Teams to monitor fruit mandis, prevent overcharging, and ensure traders and growers are not exploited.
“In order to curb this malpractice and safeguard the interests of fruit growers and the trading community, enforcement teams will conduct surprise visits to prominent mandis,” a communiqué from the Transport Commissioner read. Daily compliance reports will track their actions.
Srinagar’s ARTO Mauzam Ali has been tasked with covering two districts, investigating complaints and reporting all actions taken. Horticulture Minister Javaid Ahmad Dar also announced that State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) trucks will be made available to growers upon request. “Fruit growers from the Sopore Mandi have requested SRTC trucks, and we have instructed the Transport Commissioner to dispatch the vehicles accordingly,” he said.
For growers like Bilal Ahmad from Sopore, the government’s intervention is urgent. “With the highway closed, we cannot move apples to markets. Many fruits are already spoiling, and freight costs keep rising. If the government didn’t step in, we could lose half our harvest,” he said.
The crisis is not just about individual losses. Apples are a backbone of Kashmir’s economy, supporting thousands of families and contributing significantly to trade. Delays in transportation and inflated charges threaten both growers’ livelihoods and the supply chain to national markets.
Dar emphasized that the government is committed to stabilizing freight costs and protecting growers’ incomes. “We are making every effort to bring freight charges under control,” he said, highlighting that the SRTC trucks and enforcement teams are immediate measures to prevent further loss.
As enforcement teams prepare to visit mandis and trucks stand ready, growers hope the government’s intervention will ensure that this year’s harvest does not rot in the orchards and can reach consumers safely.
