Srinagar: In a bid to foster a cleaner and greener future, the Block Development Officer (BDO) Khansahib on Tuesday launched Sewa Parv 2025, a campaign under the Swachh Bharat Mission. The initiative, which runs nationwide from September 17 to October 2, 2025, will cover all 26 Panchayats of Khansahib block.

The campaign focuses on awareness, education, motivation, and waste segregation, with an aim to empower communities to adopt eco-friendly practices and ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

Calling on residents to actively participate, the BDO Khansahib said: “Let us come together as a community to make Sewa Parv 2025 a success. By embracing cleanliness and sustainable practices, we can transform our Panchayats into models of health and greenery. Every small action counts—let’s segregate waste, spread awareness, and create a Swachh Khansahib for generations to come!”

The event marks the beginning of a two-week drive to mobilize collective efforts in making Khansahib block cleaner, greener, and more sustainable.

Srinagar: In a significant move, the Jammu and Kashmir government announced on Tuesday that it will provide State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) trucks to fruit growers upon request.

Speaking to KNO, Horticulture Minister Javaid Ahmad Dar said they are ready to offer SRTC truck services for ferrying apples.

He further stated, “Fruit growers from the Sopore mandi have requested SRTC trucks, and we have instructed the Transport Commissioner to dispatch the vehicles accordingly.” (KNO)

Srinagar: Amid growing concerns from apple growers over skyrocketing freight charges, Minister for Agriculture Production and Horticulture, Javaid Ahmad Dar has intervened, directing the Transport Department to bring the charges under control.

Speaking to KNO, the minister said he has asked the Transport Commissioner to engage with truckers’ associations to bring freight charges under control.

“I have spoken to the Transport Commissioner regarding the issue. I have asked him to hold discussions with truckers’ associations to regulate the freight rates for trucks carrying apples,” he said.

The minister added that they are hopeful most of the stranded apple-laden trucks will be cleared by today.

“I have also directed the Horticulture Department to keep fruit growers informed about the movement of apple-laden trucks,” he added. (KNO)

Srinagar: Amid the prolonged closure of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the authorities on Wednesday said that around 2,000 tonnes of apples have been transported to outside mandis through railway from the Valley so far this season.

An official told KNO that since past week, 1,25,376 apple boxes have been dispatched by train, mostly to Delhi.

“From Anantnag Railway Station, 87,137 boxes were dispatched, while 38,239 boxes were transported from Budgam Railway Station,” he said.

Chief Area Manager Kashmir, Northern Railways, Saqib Yousuf said that from Anantnag, 350 tonnes, 650 tonnes and 376 tonnes of apples were already loaded and dispatched in separate consignments. “From Budgam around 600 tonnes have also been dispatched,” he said.

Pertinently, Kashmir produces over 70 per cent of India’s apples, with last year’s harvest recorded at 20.4 lakh metric tonnes.

However, the industry continues to remain at the mercy of the Srinagar-Jammu highway, which often faces frequent closures.

Last month, the heavy rains and landslides choked the highway for nearly two weeks, leaving truckloads of apples worth hundreds of crores stranded on the road, officials said. (KNO)