The frequent closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) due to landslides has become a major cause of concern for Kashmiri fruit growers, threatening significant economic losses. With the highway being blocked for extended periods, fruit-laden trucks are unable to reach markets outside the region, leading to spoilage and a drastic fall in prices.

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has stepped in, assuring growers that the government is actively monitoring restoration efforts on NH-44 and exploring long-term solutions to prevent future disruptions. One such solution being considered is the introduction of a rail cargo service to transport Kashmir's fruit produce, ensuring a more reliable and efficient transportation system during peak seasons.

The Srinagar-Jammu highway has been shut for traffic for the past 15 days due to landslides at several stretches. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also assessed the restoration work along NH-44 and promised assistance to flood-affected residents in Jammu. Senior officials indicated that the highway is expected to open for light vehicles soon. However, the Jammu and Kashmir Apple Farmers Federation has warned that continued closures could devastate the horticulture sector, which generates approximately Rs 10,000 crore in income and employs around 35 lakh people. The federation has requested that fruit trucks be given priority passage at night when the highway reopens. They also reported significant losses due to trucks being stranded and forced to unload spoiled produce.

The Jammu and Kashmir Fruits & Vegetable Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) also raised the issue with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, seeking immediate government intervention to ensure the smooth movement of fruit and vegetable trucks. Their requests included streamlined passage, the elimination of arbitrary halts, the designation of alternate routes, a dedicated transport corridor, priority movement for fruit trucks, and the immediate launch of a Railway Cargo Service. Abdullah assured the association that the government is fully aware of the situation's severity and is exploring all possible measures to restore connectivity and prevent future problems. He also mentioned that the request for additional railway rakes to transport fruit produce has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Railways.

The highway's closure has led to a crisis in the Kashmir fruit trade, with growers reporting a steep decline in prices. The American apple variety, which previously sold for Rs 600 per box, is now fetching only Rs 400–450. Some growers estimate that trucks carrying Rs 15 lakh worth of produce are barely recovering a lakh or two due to the damage. While authorities have allowed phased clearance of stranded vehicles, the losses have already been substantial.

As an alternative, some fruit trucks have been using the Mughal Road, but this route is insufficient to meet the scale of transport needed. Growers have urged the government to prioritize fruit trucks to minimize losses and have also been advised to store produce in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores until the highway fully reopens.

With the harvest season in full swing, there are concerns that repeated highway closures could affect millions of farmers and workers in the horticulture sector. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has called for a dedicated train service between the Kashmir Valley and Delhi to alleviate the challenges faced by growers.