Kashmiri apple traders in Delhi have urged the local administration to keep open the Mughal Road on daily basis for transport of the perishable fruit-laden trucks to save them from losses. M.R. Kriplani, the President of the Kashmir Apple Merchants Association, has written a letter to state governor and IG Traffic regarding the release of apple loading trucks on their way to New Delhi.
The Srinagar-Jammu highway, which was closed for vehicular traffic on Wednesday, was partially opened on Friday, with officials allowing only stranded vehicles to move towards Kashmir. The highway remained closed for two consecutive days due to landslides in the Ramban district. Traffic department officials said the highway was opened for traffic as the landslide debris was cleared.
Reports said over 3,000 vehicles, many of them containing essential supplies and fuel, were stranded at various places on the nearly 270-km highway because of the blockade.
The highway closure had spiked the rates of essential commodities including meat, vegetables and fruits in the Valley. Consumers complain of arbitrary price hikes by traders and shopkeepers.
