As apple harvest peaks, why Kashmir seeks a green corridor to India's markets

As the apple harvest reaches its peak in Kashmir, local farmers and industry leaders are pushing for a dedicated green corridor to facilitate the timely transportation of their produce to Indian markets. This push comes amid concerns over recurring disruptions on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), which serves as the sole reliable route connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country. These disruptions, often caused by landslides and monsoon-related issues, have historically led to significant financial losses for the region’s apple industry. Riyaz Ahmad Khan, an apple grower in Anantnag district, is currently in the middle of harvesting his first Gala crop from a newly established high-density orchard. Despite optimistic pricing trends for Gala apples in India’s fruit markets, Khan remains apprehensive about the ability to deliver his consignment to Delhi on schedule. He expressed worries over the frequent closures of NH-44, which have become increasingly common during the monsoon season. His concerns mirror those of many other growers who fear a potential repetition of the severe economic impact witnessed in 2025, when prolonged highway closures were estimated to have cost the sector over Rs 2,000 crore. The current harvest season marks the beginning of the movement of early apple varieties, including Gala, alongside plums and other perishable fruits. In response to these challenges, several key organizations such as the Sopore Fruit Mandi, a major wholesale fruit market in India, and the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) have intensified their calls for a dedicated green corridor. This initiative aims to streamline the transportation of fruit-laden trucks and ensure they reach markets across the nation without unnecessary delays. Fayaz Ahmad Malik, president of the Sopore Fruit Mandi, emphasized the need for a structured approach to managing the flow of fruit trucks. He pointed out that the existing one-way traffic system poses a significant challenge, especially given the large volume of trucks departing from the valley each day. According to Fayaz, approximately 70 to 80 trucks depart from the Sopore Fruit Mandi daily, with the number expected to increase as the harvest season intensifies. He advocated for the implementation of fixed time slots for fruit trucks to guarantee their timely arrival at destination markets. Faiz Ahmad Bakshi, secretary general of the KCCI, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of efficient traffic management through a green corridor. He stressed that such a corridor would not only help maintain the quality and market value of fresh produce but also prevent avoidable delays that could lead to increased costs and reduced buyer confidence in Kashmir’s agricultural output. The apple industry plays a crucial role in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of families across Kashmir and contributes nearly Rs 12,000 crore annually to the state’s economy. Given this significance, uninterrupted road connectivity is vital for preserving fruit quality, ensuring timely deliveries, and maintaining competitive pricing. Stakeholders have warned that even minor delays can drastically affect the market value of perishable early-season fruits, disrupt the supply chain, and result in higher operational costs. In light of these challenges, the KCCI has approached both the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, seeking their intervention to prioritize the movement of fruit-laden trucks on NH-44 throughout the harvest season. Additionally, the chamber has requested closer collaboration among various authorities, including traffic police, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), district administrations, and the horticulture department, to expedite the clearing of blockages, restore traffic promptly after weather-related disruptions, and provide real-time traffic updates to growers, traders, and transporters. Despite these efforts, the Mughal Road, a historical link between Shopian in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu’s Poonch, has been ruled out as a viable alternative. This is primarily due to its unsuitability for handling the larger vehicles commonly used for transporting apple consignments, such as 12-tyre and 16-tyre trucks.