Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Friday expressed deep concern over the prolonged closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, which has remained blocked for over a week, crippling trade and supply chains across the Valley.
In a statement to Ziraat Times, the Chamber said hundreds of trucks carrying fruits, vegetables, livestock, groceries, and other essential goods remain stranded, while shortages have triggered a sharp rise in the prices of daily-use commodities.
KCCI acknowledged that inclement weather and landslides were responsible for the disruption but criticized the lack of a workable contingency plan. “The absence of an alternative mechanism to maintain the flow of goods has deepened the crisis, once again underlining the Valley’s heavy dependence on a single road link,” the statement noted.
The Chamber said that multiple sectors were reeling under the impact. The horticulture industry, a backbone of Kashmir’s economy, is facing major losses as fruit-laden trucks are stuck for days. Supplies of perishable items like vegetables, poultry, dairy, and livestock have also been badly affected, while shortages of groceries and other household goods have added to the burden of consumers and traders.
Urging urgent government intervention, KCCI appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister to allow full-fledged movement of heavy vehicles on the Mughal Road until the highway is restored. “Utilising the Mughal Road as an alternative route is essential to safeguard timely movement of supplies and prevent a deeper economic and social crisis,” the Chamber stressed.
The trade body also appealed to local traders and retailers to avoid profiteering during the crisis. “We urge businesses to act responsibly and keep prices stable to shield consumers from unnecessary hardship,” it said.
KCCI further pressed for a long-term contingency strategy to deal with recurring closures of the highway caused by weather and landslides. It said Kashmir’s economic lifeline cannot be left vulnerable to frequent disruptions and called for a structured plan to ensure uninterrupted supplies and minimize economic losses in the future.
