Himachal’s Highways Choked, Apple Belt Farmers Cry for Help
Shimla: Himachal’s road network once again stands crippled after fresh landslides cut off key stretches, leaving farmers in the apple belt stranded with thousands of cartons waiting to hit the markets.
On Friday, NH-05 got blocked at Maglad (Km 294/130) after heavy boulders came crashing down, stalling traffic on the lifeline highway.
A JCB has been pressed into service from the Jeori side by the Rampur sub-division. Meanwhile, the Holi–Kharamukh road caved in at Suhaga village following a massive slide, but there is still no word on restoration of this crucial stretch or the Chamba–Bharmour highway.
The situation is worse on link roads. Most rural roads in the apple-growing belt remain blocked, crippling transportation at the peak of the harvest season.
In Chopal subdivision, the PWD is battling an acute shortage of JCBs. Roads such as PabaasKenchi–Shilgrahan, Hirag–Lastadhar, and Matal–Bamta–Maumvi remain shut at multiple points.
The worst hit is the upper Shantha–Shilgrahan–Hirag belt, where 8,000–10,000 apple cartons are lying unharvested and stored.
Farmers warned that if the produce is not rushed to mandis immediately, fruit will drop and rot, pushing them to huge losses.
“The weather has eased up, but roads are still choked. The PWD must hire more machines.
At least save what little crop is left so that farmers can get something out of the market,” angry growers demanded.
