Says ₹12,000 Crore Apple Industry at Risk Amid Repeated Highway Disruptions
Srinagar, September 16 (KNS) : Kashmir’s prized apple industry is once again reeling from severe disruptions on the Srinagar–Jammu highway, the Valley’s primary lifeline to the rest of the country.
In a statement issued, Jammu & Kashmir State Head of the All India Professionals’ Congress (AIPC), Sanjay Sapru, termed the recurring crisis “heart-wrenching” and expressed deep concern over its impact on local farmers.
“In parts of south Kashmir, farmers are being forced to destroy their apple crop due to the highway mess and the authorities’ failure to restore proper connectivity,” Sapru said. “This raises serious questions about the administration’s sense of responsibility and commitment towards its duties.”
The apple industry, valued at nearly ?12,000 crore annually, directly or indirectly supports around 3.5 million people. With approximately 1.45 lakh hectares (28.66 lakh kanals) under orchards, apple cultivation has become the Valley’s foremost agricultural sector and a critical pillar of its economy. Over the years, improvements in both quality and yield have significantly contributed to farmers’ livelihoods.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The current crisis stems from recent heavy rains, which have kept the highway closed for over 20 days, with only intermittent partial openings. Despite assurances of improved connectivity following the ?16,000 crore four-laning of the 250 km Jammu–Srinagar–Udhampur–Ramban–Banihal corridor over the past five years, the recurring closures have exposed glaring gaps in planning and execution.
Sapru also criticized political posturing over the issue, emphasizing that connectivity challenges are not new and that successive governments in Kashmir share responsibility. “Rhetoric aside, the real question is: what have our leaders done to ensure that people do not have to suffer repeatedly? Protests and political theatrics are easy; genuine solutions are what the farmers need,” he said.
The AIPC leader’s remarks underline the urgent need for sustained, accountable measures to secure the Valley’s lifeline and protect its vital apple industry from recurring losses.(KNS)