We’ve lost tourism this year — now our horticulture is at risk too, says Rafi Ahmad Mir
JK News Today
Srinagar, September 15: As the National Highway remains blocked, leaving thousands of apple-laden trucks stalled in parking lots or stranded along the route, Apni Party on Monday urged the administration to “take immediate measures to ensure that the Valley’s fruit reaches markets across the country before the perishable produce spoils.”
At a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Apni Party General Secretary and former legislator Rafi Ahmad Mir suggested adding “more bogies to the recently launched parcel train to transport apples from Kashmir to Delhi.”
He also said that the “parcel train should reach every district in the Valley to facilitate the loading of fruit produce and ensure smooth transportation.” In addition, Mir urged the administration “to make the Mughal Road ready for transporting fruit out of the Valley.”
During the press conference, Rafi Ahmad Mir was accompanied by the party’s Chief Spokesperson, Muntazir Mohiuddin, Media Advisor, Farooq Andrabi, and other senior leaders.
“Jammu and Kashmir has already been grappling with heavy economic losses. We have faced several setbacks to our economy, especially since the horrific terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, which severely damaged this year’s tourism. After that, we witnessed great chaos during and after Operation Sindoor. As if all this were not enough, we recently faced incidents of natural calamities, including cloudbursts and floods, particularly in Jammu region. All these situations have ruined and severely impacted our economy, and now our horticulture industry is at stake, as perishable fruits are spoiling due to the highway remaining continuously blocked following the recent floods.” Said Rafi Ahmad Mir.
He urged the government to step in and ensure that fruit reaches outside markets before it gets spoiled.
He said, “This is not about politics or any political party. This is a grave issue, and we are all concerned about it. I strongly urge the LG administration, the Hon’ble Chief Minister, and the officials of the concerned departments to take immediate measures to ensure that fruit is transported to outside mandis without any further delay.”
“We appreciate the launch of the cargo parcel train from the Valley to Delhi for the transportation of fruit, but more bogies need to be added to it. This train should also reach every part of the Valley to ensure smooth loading and transportation. Simultaneously, the authorities must ensure that the Mughal Road is immediately prepared for fruit-laden trucks,” Mir added.
Replying to a question, Rafi Ahmad Mir said, “The PSA should not have been invoked against MLA Meraj Malik.” He added that the elected government must “take steps to ensure the release of the detainees and review the PSA cases.”
