Fruit markets across the Kashmir Valley remained closed on Monday (September 15, 2025) to protest the government’s failure to reopen the 290-km Srinagar-Jammu National Highway even after two weeks of closure due to heavy rain. Facing a public outcry, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah blamed the Centre for the losses the apple industry continues to face in the Valley.
Hundreds of fruit growers took to the streets in Kashmir Valley and closed the markets operating in north, central and south Kashmir. “Our patience is running thin. Trucks laden with apple produce are rotting in front of our eyes. It’s not Nature’s fury but a man-made disaster. Rains have stopped but the officials have failed to reopen the highway even after 15 days of closure,” Fayaz Dar, an apple dealer in north Kashmir’s Sopore mandi, said.
According to the apple traders, the cost of an apple box has dropped from ₹600 to ₹400 due to failure to ferry them in time to markets across the country. “The government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) should urgently ensure smooth passage for trucks and compensate farmers for the losses incurred,” Zahoor Ahmad Rather, senior member of the J&K Apple Farmers Federation, said. He also demanded a waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans for the farmers affected.
