Draped in buntings gift loaded trucks roll on Jehlum Valley road ,Baramulla fruit growers, traders jubilant

Baramulla/Uri: While all arrangements have been put in place for the cross-Line of Control (LOC) trade between the two parts of divided Kashmir through the Srinagar-Muzaffarbad road, traders and fruit growers of Kashmir valley were jubilant to send their first consignment towards Muzzafarabad from Fruit Mandi Kanispora in North kashmir's Baramulla on Monday.

 Amid overwhelming enthusiasm, traders loaded their gift pack fruit boxes in trucks draped in buntings which later move onwards to Salamabad Uri.

"This historical moment for traders of Kashmir valley, trader's fraternity across LoC would be united after whooping gap of 60 years. We have loaded fruit boxes as gifts to President of Pakistan, Prime Minister and and Prime Minster of Muzzfarabad Administered Kashmir," said Ghulam Rasool Bhat President Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association.

Truck loaded with fruits from across valley reached Fruit Mandi Kanispora Baramulla where representatives from fruit growers loaded the final consignment to Muzzafarbad.

"We have sent 13 trucks of loaded with apples and other fruits in which mostly most of the boxes are gift- packs to our counterparts in Muzzafarbad, this trade will provide new business opportunities to the fruit growers of Kashmir," added Ghulam Rasool Bhat.

Vice President Baramulla Beopar Mandal, Bashir Ahmed Kanroo said, " Baramulla has been hub of trade since very inception and now history is being repeated with resumption of cross LoC trade, this will certainly restore pristine and glory of Baramulla." 

Abdul Khaliq Lone of Rangwar Baramulla,80, used to run Bugi- bull-carts on Srinagar-Muzzafarab road 60 years ago, now his son Abdul Majid is ready to resume his father's trade in markets across the Line of Control.

"We used to take our cargo in Gudi's (Bull-Carts) to sell them in markets on Muzzafarbad, it took us three day to complete journey and we had many halting points on way," said Abdul Majid.
"We are happy that this trade route is opening and our fruits will reach Muzafarabad," added he.

Meanwhile, arrangements of trade and preparations for different cultural programs were given final touch in Salamabad Uri where hundreds of students from different schools remained busy in rehearsals of songs, dance and other welcoming gestures.

 
The trade between two parts of Kashmir will commence on Tuesday, the trade between two sides will kick-start with rolling over of fifteen trucks loaded with fruit, vegetables, handicrafts, Gabbas Namdass, and shawls from Kashmir.