Saturday 18th Jul, 2026
Ban on movement of civilian traffic on Kashmir highway disastrous for horticulture: CPI (M)
Srinagar, Apr 20: (UNI) Asserting that ban on the movement of civilian traffic on Srinagar-Jammu national highway has proven disastrous for horticulture sector in the valley, CPI(M) asked the administration to ensure hassle free movement of fruit laden trucks on the road.
“There is a large chunk of apples stored in cold storages, which requires urgent transportation to various destinations in the country. The apple crop has hit badly by the ban. The harvesting of cherry crop is expected to start from May and will continue till June in Kashmir valley and the growers associated with it are extremely woeful as restrictions will hit the transportation of this short lasting crop. The ban is unjustified and will make small-time farmers suffer,” CPI (M) State Secretary Ghulam Nabi Malik said.
Mr Malik urged the Governor administration to ensure that that these fruit laden trucks may be allowed to ply towards Jammu so that these trucks reach their destinations well in time.
Expressing serious concern over unchecked import of spurious fertilizers and pesticides in the state, due to which farming community is suffering huge losses not only in terms of money spend on purchase of fertilizers and chemicals but also due to adverse damage caused to crops, the CPI(M) leader has sought prompt action from the government to check the menace.
Despite repeated assurance, the government has failed to curb the flow of these spurious fertilizers and pesticides into the market.
He said that orchardists who suffered huge losses due to last year’s untimely snowfall are yet to receive the compensation and urged the government to release compensation to these affected orchardists without any further delay.