Srinagar, Sep 22: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Monday said that 1.37 lakh metric tons of fresh fruits have been dispatched from the Valley in the last ten days through National Highway, Mughal Road and parcel train service.
Speaking to a selected group of media persons at his office, Anshul Garg said that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was recently formulated by the Chief Secretary in coordination with district administration, BRO, traffic and National Highway authorities to streamline the transportation of fresh fruits and essential supplies.
“Every day, around 1,500–2,000 fruit trucks accumulate in the Valley. These are being dispatched on an alternate basis towards Jammu via the National Highway and Mughal Road,” he said, adding that traffic police are continuously monitoring the system on the ground.
He said that with the ongoing restoration works on the highway, movement of vehicles has significantly increased. “Where earlier around 1,500–2,000 trucks used to ply daily, now 3,500–4,000 trucks are moving. Today alone, nearly 2,000 trucks from Qazigund moved towards Jammu and are expected to reach there by evening,” he said.
He added that on Mughal Road, over 1,800–1,900 trucks moved towards Jammu yesterday to facilitate evacuation of fruits on priority and ease farmers’ concerns.
He also said that the newly introduced parcel train service from Anantnag and Baramulla to Adarsh Nagar, New Delhi, has become operational.
“Around 800–1000 tons of fresh fruits are being dispatched daily through this service. Farmers from north and south Kashmir can now directly avail the facility to transport their produce conveniently,” he said adding the process has started.
On essential supplies, Garg said that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, LPG, food or consumer items in the Valley. “We have a full week’s stock of fuel and food items. Stocks will be replenished regularly. People are requested not to believe in rumours or resort to panic buying,” he said.
He added that as weather conditions remain stable and the highway restoration work continues, the buffer stock of essentials will further increase in the coming days. (KNO)
