Srinagar. august 5 (KNS) : The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has expressed serious concern over the hardships being faced by fruit growers across Kashmir due to the frequent closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and prolonged traffic delays, saying the situation is threatening the Valley's horticulture sector at the peak of the apple season.

In a statement, KTA President Aijaz Ahmad Shahdhar said thousands of fruit growers, traders and transporters are suffering heavy financial losses as trucks carrying perishable produce remain stranded for hours and, at times, days because of highway disruptions.

He said horticulture is the backbone of Kashmir's economy, supporting lakhs of families directly and indirectly, and any interruption in the transportation of fresh fruit adversely affects growers who depend on timely access to markets across the country.

Shahdhar said that while weather-related challenges are unavoidable, the movement of fruit-laden trucks must be treated as a priority. He called upon the Jammu and Kashmir Government to put in place a dedicated mechanism to ensure that vehicles carrying perishable produce receive priority passage whenever the highway is reopened after disruptions.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

"The government must recognise that every hour of delay reduces the quality and market value of our fruit. The livelihoods of growers cannot be left at the mercy of prolonged road closures and traffic bottlenecks," Shahdhar said.

He urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to coordinate with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and traffic authorities to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks during the harvesting season.

The KTA President further stressed the need for long-term measures to improve the resilience of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway against landslides and weather-related disruptions, stating that recurring transport crises continue to undermine confidence in Kashmir's horticulture sector.

Reaffirming KTA's support for the farming community, Shahdhar urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to act with urgency and ensure that the interests of fruit growers remain at the forefront during the ongoing harvesting and marketing season.(KNS)