Srinagar: National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday accused the government of inflicting economic distress on Kashmir, citing the prolonged closure of the Srinagar–Jammu highway and its impact on apple growers.
Mehdi said fruit traders and transporters were bearing the brunt of stalled truck movement, with perishable produce at risk of damage. “You see a pattern. At times, substandard pesticides are pushed into the market; at others, cheap apples are imported from abroad. Now our roads are blocked,” he told reporters in south Kashmir.
The Srinagar MP alleged that deliberate attempts were being made to undermine the Valley’s economy. “Even after today’s partial reopening, only traffic from Jammu to Srinagar was allowed. Our trucks remain stuck. Last year too, trucks were stranded until the produce rotted. This looks like a battle against our economy,” he said.
Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari, meanwhile, said a two-lane temporary diversion had been created to allow traffic movement. He added that full restoration of the highway was underway.
The Srinagar–Jammu highway, a vital lifeline for the Valley’s economy, has seen repeated closures in recent weeks due to landslides and repair work, sparking mounting concern among growers during the peak apple harvest season.
