Srinagar, Sep 17: People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure smooth transport of fruit, describing the industry as the backbone of Kashmir's economy. "The fruit industry is the backbone of our economy and all efforts must be made to salvage it," she said while addressing mediapersons.
Mufti highlighted the challenges faced by fruit growers, who work throughout the year, borrow money from banks, and wait for their produce to reach markets.
"But the government kept watching it like a spectacle," she said, adding that she had urged the administration on September 2 to take action. Mehbooba proposed that a dedicated corridor be opened from 8 am to 2 am, allowing only fruit vehicles to pass. The damaged sections of the road should be repaired as a priority to prevent frequent closures and losses to the sector. Mufti also said that the road disruptions have affected tourism and hotel businesses.
Mehbooba said the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway has always been under the direct control of the central government, adding that successive governments in J&K have a complete realisation that fruit industry has been a pillar of J&K's economy even during tough times and steps must be taken to safeguard it."The fruit industry directly or indirectly supports lakhs of people as this sector witnesses transactions worth lakhs of rupees. Many households are dependent on this sector," Mehbooba added. She said it is imperative that the national highway be restored immediately. "Even today CM Omar Abdullah has called up Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari but this communication should have been made 15 days ago. We are all aware that control of the national highway is with the Centre, be it during tenure of NC government or PDP-led government. It is the Centre that has been urged to act," she added.
Mehbooba said CM Omar Abdullah "cannot shy away from the reality by simply passing the buck" by saying that control of the national highway is not in his hands. "Fruit growers hard work is at stake and fruit worth crores is stranded. A dedicated corridor should be allocated for fruit trucks to ply," she added.