Srinagar, July 1 (JKNS): To ensure smooth transportation of perishable goods during the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY-2025) and the start of the fresh fruit season, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, on Tuesday issued a detailed advisory prioritizing the movement of fruit and vegetable-laden trucks on National Highway-44 (NH-44).
In the advisory issued by Div Cim Kashmir a copy of which lies with news agency JKNS reads, Agriculture and Horticulture sectors are critically important for the economy of J&K and the UT administration is fully committed to facilitate the growers and extend every possible assistance in marketing the produce. NH-44 being the lifeline of J&K, has an important role to play in this regard.
Use of NH-44, by different class of users, is largely governed by the advisory issued by Traffic Police, which tries to accommodate every stakeholder. However, it has been reported that in view of the forthcoming SNAJAY-2025, onset of fresh fruit season, convey movement and the condition of NH-44, sufficient timeslot is not getting allotted to this very important sector and as a result, downside movement of trucks carrying perishable goods is being hampered due to which the fruit growers/traders are facing inconvenience, it reads.
In order to alleviate the concerns of fruit growers, the UT administration has decided to take the following steps,The vehicles/buses ferrying Shri Amarnath Ji Yatris shall be given 1* preference for their hassle free movement along NH-44, followed by, vehicles carrying fruits and vegetables, it reads.
Advisory reads that, Traffic Police should identify a stretch of about 05 Kms along NH-44, between Levdoora to Navyug Tunel, which should be dedicated for parking of fruit/vegetable laden vehicles, so that their movement could be facilitated on priority. Other HMVs waiting to be released for their onward movement towards Jammu, should be allowed to get parked only after Levdoora. Fruit /Vegetable growers are requested to load and timely park their vehicles (Every morning before 09:00 AM) at the designated place, so that traffic police could easily identify the vehicles and release them once SANJY related daily movement is over.
Department of Agriculture Production is requested to frame and issue instruction to all the fruit/vegetable growers to paste plycards, hoarding/banner mentioning the item and the source of origin, so that fruit/vegetable laden vehicles are distinguished and their movement is accordingly facilitated. Trucks carrying perishable goods will also be facilitated through Jawahar Tunnel or Mughal Road if they desire so, advisory reads.
The following type of vehicles while returning to Jammu shall only use Mughal Road between 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM w.e.f: 02-07-2025. All Tankers of Petrol, Diesel, LPG Bulk Gas. All trucks carrying empty LPG Cylinders. All empty vehicles of FCI. Any Other loaded/empty vehicles up to 10-tyres, it reads.
The advisory will remain in force till the culmination of SANJY-2025, reads the advisory. (JKNS)