Diplomat Correspondent
SRINAGAR, DD, In a major step to strengthen the horticulture sector and ensure smooth transportation of fruit produce from Jammu & Kashmir to different parts of the country, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma today flagged off fruit-laden trucks of Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) from Kashmir Valley to outside states.
RTO Kashmir Qazi Irfan; General Managers of JKRTC, and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.
Speaking after the flag-off ceremony, Satish Sharma highlighted that horticulture is the backbone of the Union Territory’s economy, providing livelihood to lakhs of families. “Timely transportation of fruits, especially apples, to outside markets is crucial for ensuring better prices for growers and maintaining the reputation of Kashmir’s produce in the national market. The government is fully committed to supporting our farmers and traders so that their hard work is rewarded,” he stated.
The Minister added that the JKRTC and Transport department, in close coordination with other concerned agencies, is ensuring hassle-free movement of fruit-laden vehicles, reducing travel delays, and safeguarding the perishable produce from potential losses.
He further said that deployment of additional trucks is being monitored on a real-time basis to meet the rising transportation demand from Mandis as the harvest season progresses. He added that steps are also being taken to streamline traffic management on key routes to facilitate uninterrupted movement of fruit consignments to outside states.
Satish Sharma assured growers and traders that the government will continue to extend all possible assistance to make this fruit season a success story for Jammu & Kashmir’s horticulture sector. He called upon the growers to remain confident of the Government’s resolve in promoting and protecting their economic interests.
Pertinently, after the Omar Abdullah led Government’s initiative of providing transport support to fruit growers, 158 trucks of JKRTC, including trawlers, have so far been deployed in major Fruit Mandis of Shopian, Anantnag, Sopore, and Pulwama to transport fruit produce to markets across India. This coordinated effort is being carried out under the directions of the Chief Minister, who stressed upon extending maximum facilitation to fruit growers and traders during the peak harvesting season.DD