Srinagar, Sept. 16 -- Fruit mandis across the Kashmir valley observed a shutdown against the government's "failure" to ensure a smooth passage to fruit-laden trucks, thousands of which have been stranded on the dilapidated Srinagar-Jammu national highway. People associated with fruit businesses staged the protests in Sopore town of Baramulla district and Handwara area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir. Chief minister Omar Abdullah said he had talked to Union minister Nitin Gadkari who reportedly assured him that the issue would be resolved within 24 hours.

The highway has been in a dismal condition at various stretches after the floods, especially in Udhampur where the damage to a 250 to 300 metre stretch has resulted in frequent disr...