Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today chaired a high-level meeting to review the transportation and smooth movement of fruit consignments from the Kashmir Valley to markets outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting took place at the civil secretariat in Srinagar, attended by key officials including the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Secretary, Transport Department, Inspector General of Traffic, Transport Commissioner, Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, and the Managing Director of Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC).
During the session, Chief Secretary Dulloo assessed the current status of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) and its restoration to full operational capacity, emphasizing the importance of unhindered passage for fruit-laden trucks from the Valley. He directed officials to ensure that no fruit truck remains stranded on the highway and instructed relevant departments to prioritize the safe passage of these vehicles.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the backlog of vehicles on both sides of NH-44 and issued directives for their immediate clearance, aiming to facilitate timely conveyance of essential commodities entering Kashmir.
In his address, Dulloo suggested that the Divisional Commissioner explore the feasibility of introducing rail freight services to transport horticultural produce to key markets including Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. He stressed the need for close consultation with fruit growers and collaboration with the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Jammu, to explore this potential option.
Responding to the discussions, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, noted that adequate transportation facilities are currently available at competitive rates, and that fruit growers are not experiencing significant logistical challenges.
Secretary of the Transport Department, Avny Lavasa, confirmed that in the event of a shortage of transport vehicles, the J&K SRTC fleet would be deployed to ensure the smooth evacuation of fruit produce from the Valley, demonstrating the government’s commitment to supporting local growers.
Reiterating the administration’s dedication, the Chief Secretary stated that the seamless transportation of horticultural produce forms a vital part of Kashmir’s economy. He urged all departments to maintain close coordination and adopt proactive measures throughout the ongoing harvest season, reinforcing the importance of smooth movement of fruit consignments.