Srinagar, Aug 7: Baramulla MP Er Rashid on Thursday urged Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to create a dedicated green corridor for fruit-laden trucks on National Highway-44 during the ongoing harvesting season, saying traffic bottlenecks are causing substantial losses to Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector.
During a meeting with Gadkari in Parliament, the MP said frequent traffic disruptions between Qazigund, Banihal, Udhampur and other regulated stretches of NH-44 delay the movement of perishable produce, affecting fruit quality, market returns and transportation costs.
“The horticulture sector is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, sustaining nearly seven lakh families,” Rashid told the minister, stressing the need for uninterrupted movement of fruit trucks during the harvest season.
He urged the Centre to establish a dedicated green corridor on NH-44 and put in place a coordinated mechanism involving the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Traffic Police, Civil Administration and the Horticulture Department to ensure priority passage for fruit carriers.
Rashid also raised concerns over the proposed alignment of NH-701A, connecting Magam, Beerwah, Arizal and Doodhpathri. He requested the minister to retain and upgrade the existing Border Roads Organisation (BRO)-maintained route instead of constructing a new bypass.
According to the MP, upgrading the existing alignment with limited widening would minimise land acquisition, reduce displacement and project costs, and protect fertile agricultural land and orchards.
He said the proposal has the support of local residents and would improve connectivity to Beerwah, Doodhpathri and Yousmarg while safeguarding the region’s agricultural landscape.
