Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today chaired a high-level meeting aimed at ensuring the efficient transportation of fruit consignments from the Kashmir Valley to markets outside the Union Territory. This comes amid concerns regarding logistical challenges faced by fruit growers in the region.
The meeting gathered an array of officials, including the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Secretary of the Transport Department, Inspector General of Traffic, Transport Commissioner, Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department, Managing Director of HPMC, and the Regional Officer of NHAI. Their collective expertise was sought to address transportation issues that have significant implications for the local economy.
During the review, Chief Secretary Dulloo assessed the current status of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), which is crucial for transporting goods. He emphasized the need for full operational capacity of this route to facilitate the movement of fruit-laden trucks from the Valley. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of an unhindered passage for essential commodities entering Kashmir.
In a decisive move, Chief Secretary Dulloo directed officials to ensure that no fruit truck remains stranded on the highway. He asked the relevant departments to implement measures for the safe and prioritized passage of these vehicles, illustrating the government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of fruit growers.
The Chief Secretary’s review also touched upon the logistical challenges faced due to traffic congestion on both sides of NH-44. He instructed for the immediate clearance of vehicles stranded due to these issues. This directive aims at facilitating more efficient traffic flow, which is vital during the harvest season.
Moreover, the Chief Secretary encouraged exploring long-distance transportation alternatives, such as the introduction of rail freight services. He proposed discussions with the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir and the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) in Jammu, to examine the feasibility of transporting horticultural produce to major markets like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.
The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, reassured the Chief Secretary that adequate transportation facilities are accessible at reasonable rates and that fruit growers are not currently facing major logistical hurdles. This information aims to ease concerns regarding the rates and availability of transportation during the crucial harvest period.
Moreover, Secretary of the Transport Department Avny Lavasa announced that the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (J&K SRTC) would step in to provide a fleet of vehicles should there be any shortage of transport options. This proactive measure underscores the government’s readiness to support fruit growers in successfully evacuating produce from the Valley.
In his concluding remarks, Chief Secretary Dulloo reiterated the administration’s firm commitment to ensuring the seamless transportation of horticultural produce, acknowledging it as a key pillar of Kashmir’s economy. He stressed the importance of coordination among all departments to maintain efficiency and to proactively address any challenges that arise during the ongoing harvest season.
