Fruit Growers Protest Highway Blockades at Sopore Mandi

SRINAGAR: Fruit growers and traders held a peaceful protest at Sopore’s fruit mandi on Saturday against frequent blockades on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which they said have crippled Kashmir’s horticulture sector.Carrying placards demanding government intervention, protesters warned that thousands of fruit-laden trucks remain stranded, causing estimated losses of ₹1,000–1,200 crore this season.Sopore Fruit Mandi President Fayaz Ahmad Malik urged authorities to immediately clear the highway and appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to allow a two-day clearance window for fruit consignments. He also called for the restoration of train services from Sopore, emphasizing north Kashmir’s role as a key hub for fruit exports.