Thousands Of Tons Of Apple Rotting In Trucks Stranded On Highway In Kashmir
NDTV
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti alleges that halting trucks on the highway is a deliberate attempt to make the people of Kashmir suffer.
Thousands of tons of apples are rotting in trucks stranded along the Srinagar-Jammu National highway. For over a week, stranded truckers from Rajasthan, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir allege that they are not being allowed to move on the highway even as the road is open for other commuters.
There is a massive line of trucks from Mirbazar in Anantnag to the Banihal tunnel, which is around a 40 km long stretch. Truckers say no one gives them a convincing answer why they have been held up for days on end.
In a statement, J&K Traffic Police said that the Inspector General of traffic met with apple growers on Saturday and assured them a smooth transportation of apples. But, on the ground, NDTV found thousands of apple laden trucks are stranded and perishable fruits rotting in them.
Truck driver Vikramjit Singh from Punjab said he is carrying over 20 tons of apple in his truck which has been stopped near Qazigund for a week. Mr Singh had to take the apple for sale at a market in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh.
