Parcel train with Kashmiri apples flagged off to Delhi; mandis protest Srinagar-Jammu highway closure

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first dedicated parcel train from Budgam to New Delhi Monday, calling it the start of “a new era of trade and business for apple growers and traders of the Valley”.While welcoming the launch of the parcel train, fruit mandis across Kashmir observed a complete shutdown in protest against the govt’s failure to open the Srinagar-Jammu highway, damaged between Nashri and Udhampur after heavy rain on Aug 26–27.With about 5,000 fruit-laden vehicles stranded, J&K agriculture minister Javed Dar described the situation as alarming. Dar said the train’s capacity is limited to around 180 metric tonnes and is still in its infancy. “Our priority will be to keep the Srinagar-Jammu highway open for traffic,” he added.Chief minister Omar Abdullah Monday said, “If the Centre is unable to open and maintain it, they should hand it over to us.”Omar said he would speak to Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari to press for the immediate reopening of the road.Earlier, the LG said the 7-day-a-week parcel train will transport 23–24 tonnes of apples and other perishable goods every day. “This will provide a faster and more economical transportation mode, strengthen market linkages, and bring improvement in the lives and livelihoods of farmers,” Sinha said.Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Union president Bashir Ahmad Basheer told TOI, “Early varieties like Gala are already perishing on the highway, as fruit-laden vehicles have not moved beyond Qazigund in the past eight days. This is a serious crisis.”Mandi representatives in Sopore, home to Kashmir’s oldest fruit market, demanded that if the administration cannot restore the Srinagar-Jammu highway, control should be handed over to the Army, “which can make it operational within a day.”Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone accused the Omar govt of wandering aimlessly on the issue. “Inclement weather is not the fault of the govt. But sitting like a mute spectator and doing nothing is criminal,” Lone said, urging the CM to “sit with your officers and stakeholders and work out a strategy.”Iltija Mufti, PDP representative, accused the govt of “not acting” on the crucial issue.