Grand Mufti urges govt to ensure uninterrupted highway, dedicated freight train for Kashmir’s fruit industry

Srinagar, Sept 15: The Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir has expressed grave concern over the hardships faced by fruit growers in the Valley due to recurring blockades and disruptions along the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, calling for urgent intervention by the Centre and the UT administration.

In a press statement issued on Monday, the Grand Mufti said the highway—considered the lifeline of Kashmir’s horticulture sector—is frequently closed or poorly maintained, leading to massive delays in the transportation of perishable fruit consignments. He said entire loads of apples, pears, and other produce were suffering damage or losing value due to prolonged transit times, leaving thousands of families in financial distress.

Highlighting the urgent need for alternatives, the Grand Mufti appealed to the Government of India to facilitate a dedicated freight train service from Baramulla to Delhi’s Fruit Mandi, enabling uninterrupted carriage of consignments without repeated loading and unloading stops. He stressed that arrangements should also be made to collect produce from other parts of the Valley to ensure fairness and efficiency.

“The fruit industry is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, and any negligence towards safeguarding this vital sector directly threatens the livelihood of lakhs of people. Timely and decisive action is not only an economic necessity but also a moral responsibility,” the statement read.

The Grand Mufti urged the Union Ministers of Transport, Defence, and Agriculture, as well as the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and the Chief Engineer of Project Beacon, to take immediate cognizance of the crisis.

Reaffirming solidarity with fruit growers, the Office of the Grand Mufti appealed for swift measures to ensure both free road passage and reliable railway connectivity so that Kashmir’s produce can reach markets across the country on time.