The nearly month-long closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has severely disrupted the supply chain between the two divisions of the Union Territory, causing a sharp fall in apple prices at the Jammu fruit mandi.
The 270-kilometre highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, suffered extensive damage between Nashri and Udhampur after record rainfall on August 26 and 27. Though traffic was partially restored, hundreds of trucks—many carrying apples to markets within and outside Jammu and Kashmir—remained stranded for days, leading to massive losses.
Traders say the crisis has pushed them into financial distress. “We have already paid more than 50 per cent in advance nearly six months ago. Some people took loans, others invested their life’s savings. Now the produce is rotting on the road,” a trader said.
Perishable consignments are arriving in poor condition after delays of up to 10 days. Apple boxes worth ₹1,000 are being sold for just ₹100–₹200. With controlled-atmosphere stores in Kashmir already full, growers and traders are struggling to prevent further wastage.
Horticulture, the backbone of Kashmir’s rural economy and supplier of nearly 80 per cent of India’s apples, has been badly hit. Frustrated growers staged protests across the Valley, accusing the government of failing to act quickly after the closure of the highway.
Amid the crisis, the historic Mughal Road has once again emerged as a vital alternate route. With the highway shut for nearly 10 days following major damage at Thard near Udhampur, the 90-km Mughal Road became the sole supply link connecting Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu division. Thousands of trucks carrying apples, food grains, vegetables, fuel, and other essentials are now plying daily along this mountainous route, helping avert a full-scale shortage in the Valley.
However, the heavy rush has exposed the road’s limitations. Narrow stretches, sharp curves, and single-direction heavy vehicle movement on alternate days have triggered frequent jams, especially around Pir Ki Gali. Transporters, growers, and commuters continue to face long delays, underscoring the urgent need for permanent solutions to Kashmir’s transport bottlenecks.
