Srinagar: After days of closure and disruptions on the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH44), Kashmir’s alternate surface link to rest of India through Poonch and Rajouri, the Mughal Road, has now suffered major damage, creating fresh worries for commuters and fruit growers alike.
According to initial reports, a stretch of the Mughal Road has been badly damaged by heavy rains and landslides, leaving only a narrow passage for vehicles. While light motor vehicles are barely managing to cross, large-sized vehicles, especially fruit-laden trucks, are facing severe difficulties. Many trucks have been stranded on the route for hours, with some forced to turn back.
This development comes at a time when Kashmir is in the middle of its peak fruit season. With NH44 facing frequent closures and now the Mughal Road turning unfit for heavy traffic, growers and traders are sounding alarm bells over the risk of massive financial losses. Apples and other fresh fruit consignments require smooth and timely passage to mandis outside J&K to retain quality and fetch reasonable prices.
“Large trucks carrying apples cannot pass through the damaged patches on the Mughal Road. For fruit growers, this is disastrous. Every hour of delay means more fruit getting spoiled,” said a grower from Shopian, one of the districts that heavily relies on Mughal Road connectivity.
The dual disruption of both NH44 and Mughal Road has severely restricted Kashmir’s connectivity with outside markets. Traders say that if urgent repairs are not carried out, the horticulture sector—which contributes over 8% to Jammu & Kashmir’s GDP—could face unprecedented losses this season.
Meanwhile, residents of Rajouri, Poonch, Shopian and adjoining areas are also facing mobility challenges as passenger transport struggles to negotiate the damaged stretch.
Growers’ associations have urged the administration to immediately deploy men and machinery to restore Mughal Road to a motorable condition. They have also reiterated their long-standing demand for dependable alternative road and rail links, arguing that frequent disruptions have left the valley’s economy hostage to road blockages.
As the fruit season continues, the coming days will be crucial for Kashmir’s growers and traders, who are anxiously hoping for swift repairs and smoother movement of goods.
