Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today chaired a high-level meeting to review measures for the smooth transportation of fruit consignments from the Kashmir Valley to markets across the country. The meeting aimed at ensuring that the transportation process remains efficient and uninterrupted during the ongoing harvest season.
Attendees included top officials such as the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Secretary of the Transport Department, Inspector General of Traffic, Transport Commissioner, and the Managing Director of HPMC. Their input proved crucial in discussing logistics and identifying potential hurdles.
During the meeting, Chief Secretary Dulloo took detailed stock of the current status of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44). He highlighted the need for this vital road to be fully operational, ensuring the smooth movement of fruit-laden trucks from the Valley to other regions.
Dulloo directed that under no circumstances should fruit trucks remain stranded on the highway, emphasizing the importance of safe passage for these vehicles. His instruction included immediate measures for clearing any blocked vehicles along NH-44.
In exploring long-term solutions, the Chief Secretary advised the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to investigate the feasibility of introducing rail freight services for transporting horticultural produce to major markets such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. He underscored the necessity of consulting with local fruit growers and coordinating with the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Jammu, to examine this promising option.
The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir reassured Dulloo, stating that adequate transportation facilities were currently available at reasonable rates. He reported that local fruit growers are not facing major logistical hurdles, indicating an effective system was already in place.
To further facilitate smooth transportation, Secretary, Transport Department, Avny Lavasa, announced that in case of any shortage of transport vehicles, the J&K SRTC fleet would be deployed to ensure the unimpeded evacuation of fruit produce from Kashmir to external markets.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, Chief Secretary Dulloo stated, the administration is dedicated to ensuring the seamless transportation of horticultural produce. He added that this industry is a key pillar of Kashmir’s economy, with exports contributing significantly to local livelihoods.
Dulloo instructed all relevant departments to maintain close coordination and adopt proactive measures to promote the smooth movement of fruit consignments throughout the harvest season. By ensuring efficient logistics, the government aims to bolster the agriculture sector and support the livelihoods of farmers across the region.