The Rs 1200 crore crores apple industry y in Kashmir is facing losses due to delay in the transportation as trucks have to wait for 2-3 days in Qazigund for crossing Jawahar Tunnel.
The president of the Fruit and Vegetable Association, Fruit Mandi Shopian, Mohammad Ashraf Wani said normally it takes six days for an apple laden truck to reach the fruit Mandi in Azadpur or other States but due to traffic jams between Qazigund and Uhampur it takes around 12 days.
The delay results in drop in quality and rates have dropped by Rs 150 per box.
Last year the rate of apple per apple box from Shopian was Rs 1050 while this year it is Rs 850
Adding to the woes is the increased transportation charges . the traffic jams has resulted in hike in freight charges from Rs 30,000 to 40,000.
The president Kashmir Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, Fruit Mandi Apple Town Sopore, Fayaz Ahmad Malik, said despite assurances given by the Divisional Commissioner that preference will be given to the apple trucks but not they are not adhered to
Jammu and Kashmir is the largest apple producing State in India at 11.6 metric tonnes, which accounts for 71 percent of national production and generates a revenue of Rs 1200 Crore.
