Srinagar, September 16, 2025 – In a proactive step to support the horticulture sector amid ongoing highway disruptions, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg conducted an extensive field visit to Aglar Fruit Mandi in Shopian, Mughal Road, and Peer Ki Gali today. The tour focused on ensuring the smooth evacuation of fruit-laden vehicles and addressing logistical challenges faced by growers and traders due to the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) closures caused by heavy rains and landslides.Accompanied by Director FCS&CA Owais Ahmad, Deputy Commissioner Shopian Shishir Gupta, SSP Shopian Anayat Ali, SSP Traffic, and officials from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), traffic departments, and district administrations of Shopian and Poonch, Garg interacted directly with fruit growers, traders, transporters, and horticulture representatives at the bustling Aglar Mandi.
Discussions highlighted urgent issues such as immediate truck evacuations, implementation of one-way traffic on alternate days along NH-44 and Mughal Road, formation of a loss assessment committee, reduced transportation costs, GST exemptions for perishable goods, enhanced railway connectivity to markets like Azadpur Mandi in Delhi, and resolution of trader grievances.Garg took stock of traffic management measures, emphasising lane discipline and coordinated efforts between districts to facilitate seamless movement. He informed stakeholders that over 2,200 fruit-laden trucks were successfully evacuated via Mughal Road in the past 24 hours alone, providing major relief to the Valley’s economy during the peak harvest season.
“The administration is committed to minimizing losses for our horticulture stakeholders through alternate routes like Mughal Road while restoration of NH-44 progresses,” Garg stated, assuring full support for essential supplies including petroleum products.The visit underscores the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s multi-pronged approach to mitigate the impact of highway blockages, with ongoing restoration works on NH-44 expected to resume full operations soon. Similar interactions have been held in recent days, including a review meeting in Shopian to bolster fruit truck movements and essential logistics.
