The closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44), a vital artery for the Kashmir Valley, has triggered a wave of political accusations and public outcry, with leaders alleging a deliberate attempt to cripple the region's economy. Thousands of fruit-laden trucks remain stranded, raising fears of spoilage and significant financial losses for apple growers and traders.

The 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, suffered extensive damage following heavy rainfall and flash floods last month. The road was closed for nine consecutive days and although it was partially reopened last week, it was only for light motor vehicles. The continued closure to heavy traffic has severely disrupted the supply chain, causing apple prices to plummet at the Jammu fruit mandi.

Political parties, including the ruling NC, have criticized the highway closure during the peak fruit season, calling it a "deliberate ploy" to harm Jammu and Kashmir's economy. Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) staged a protest, decrying the "blockade" as an "economic assault" on Kashmir. The protesters raised slogans of "Save Apple, Save Kashmir" and demanded immediate clearance for the stranded trucks. AIP leaders were later detained by police.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed displeasure with the National Highway Authority of India's (NHAI) failure to restore the road in a timely manner. Abdullah has reached out to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, pressing for urgent restoration of traffic and highlighting the frustrations of fruit growers. Opposition parties have blamed the Omar government for the crisis. Some political analysts have pointed out that the highway has historically been prone to disruptions, regardless of which party is in power.

The closure has had a cascading effect, leading to a shortage of fuel and rising prices of essential commodities in the Kashmir Valley. Fruit Mandis across Kashmir have observed strikes to protest the highway closure. Traders estimate losses of hundreds of crores due to the spoilage of fruit. Some traders have described the situation as an "economic blockade".

In response to the crisis, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched a daily cargo parcel train service from Budgam to Delhi to transport apples. The train aims to transport 23-24 tonnes of goods. However, many believe this measure is insufficient to address the scale of the problem.

The political ramifications of the highway closure are significant, with accusations and counter-accusations flying between different parties. The crisis has put the government under pressure to find a swift resolution and mitigate the economic losses faced by the region's fruit growers. The long-term impact on Kashmir's economy and the stability of the fruit industry remains a serious concern.