Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti has expressed concern over the recurring losses suffered by Kashmiri apple growers due to the closure of the Qazigund Highway during the harvest season, urging the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to take immediate measures to safeguard the horticulture sector.
In a post on social media platform X, Mufti said that every year the hard work of thousands of apple growers is adversely affected as the highway remains closed for weeks, disrupting the transportation of fresh produce to markets across the country.
She alleged that prolonged road closures result in tonnes of apples rotting before they can be transported, causing severe financial losses to orchard owners.
“Every year the hard work of countless Kashmiri apple growers goes down the drain simply because the Qazigund Highway is blocked for weeks on end. They watch tonnes of apples rot and perish. This breaks their backs also because of hefty loans that they cannot repay,” she said.
Describing the situation as “economic apartheid,” Mufti said such circumstances were unacceptable and appealed to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to intervene.
Unfortunately much like last year Kashmiri apple growers are suffering immense catastrophic losses again because Qazigund highway is closed yet again for ‘maintenance’
Why is it that road repairs happen only during harvest season? Horticulture provides a dignified livelihood to… pic.twitter.com/AGeDrCmmUN
— Iltija Mufti (@IltijaMufti_) July 31, 2026
She urged the Union Minister to introduce a green corridor to facilitate the uninterrupted movement of apple-laden vehicles during the harvest season.
Addressing Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mufti also requested the administration to introduce freight train services and take additional measures to ensure that apple growers do not suffer due to transport disruptions.
In another post, the PDP leader alleged that Kashmiri apple growers were once again facing catastrophic losses because the Qazigund Highway had been closed for maintenance during the harvest period.
She questioned why major road repair works were repeatedly undertaken during the peak harvesting season.
“Why is it that road repairs happen only during harvest season? Horticulture provides a dignified livelihood to lakhs of Kashmiris,” she said.
Mufti appealed to Nitin Gadkari to ensure that the road work is expedited so that transportation of horticultural produce can resume without further delay.
Note: The statements reflect the views and allegations made by PDP leader Iltija Mufti. The concerned authorities have not issued a response to her remarks at the time of reporting.