Highway Shutdown Deepens Kashmir’s Economic Woes
Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with one of its worst economic disruptions in recent years. Continuous heavy rains and flash floods have paralyzed trade and triggered a sharp rise in the prices of everyday essentials. Ordinary residents across the Union Territory (UT) are struggling as food costs climb and supplies dwindle, while businesses remain at a standstill.
Soaring Prices and Empty Shelves
The cost of staple food items has surged dramatically. Fresh vegetables, fruits, and grains are either scarce or selling at inflated prices, making survival difficult for common households. Local traders report that many shopkeepers have been forced to ration supplies to meet even minimal demand.
Lifeline Highway Severely Damaged
At the heart of the crisis lies the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, widely considered the economic lifeline of the UT. Weeks of relentless rain and sudden flash floods severely damaged large stretches of the road. Landslides and waterlogging created massive traffic bottlenecks, leaving thousands of trucks stranded for days. Many of these vehicles carried perishable items that could not withstand the delay.
Sandeep Mahajan, a well-known merchant at Narwal Mandi—the main wholesale terminal for fresh fruits and vegetables in Jammu—told PTI that around 60% of the produce sent from Srinagar to Jammu was spoiled. “Truckloads of apples and vegetables rotted while waiting. The financial hit is enormous,” he said.
Apple Trade in Crisis
The apple market has been particularly hard hit. According to Mahajan, wholesale apple prices have collapsed. “A box that earlier sold for ₹1,000 now barely fetches ₹100 to ₹200. Many traders will not recover even 20% of their investment,” he explained. Warehouses are overflowing with unsold fruit, and farmers fear long-term losses as the key autumn harvest season approaches.
Costly Diversions and Long Delays
Authorities attempted to ease the gridlock by rerouting about 1,600 food trucks and 2,200 fruit trucks through the alternative Mughal Road. However, this detour is slow and arduous. Shopkeepers report that the trip from Srinagar to Jammu, which typically takes about five hours via the main highway, now takes up to 14 days on the Mughal Road. Perishable goods rarely survive such prolonged transit.
Economic Setbacks Pile Up
This highway closure is the latest in a series of blows to Jammu and Kashmir’s fragile economy. The region has yet to fully recover from the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam earlier this year. Although the repeal of Article 370 initially encouraged new investment and hinted at economic revival, a chain of setbacks—including a controversial new phase of GST reforms that squeezed government revenue—has dampened those hopes.
A Struggle for Normalcy
Trade associations warn that if the highway is not restored quickly, small businesses may shut down permanently. Daily wage workers, transporters, and farmers are among the hardest hit. “Every additional day of closure multiplies the losses,” said a local traders’ union representative. Calls for urgent road repairs and disaster relief have grown louder, but unpredictable weather continues to hinder restoration work.
