SRINAGAR, Sept. 2 -- With the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway blocked for nearly a week, Kashmir's fruit industry is facing massive financial setbacks, with growers warning of losses running into hundreds of crores as truckloads of Bagogosha pears and Gala apples rot along the route.

Though the highway was partially opened on Monday to clear stranded vehicles, the damage to the valley's perishable consignments is already extensive, leaving growers and traders deeply worried.

Asia's second-largest Fruit Mandi at Sopore wore a bleak look on Monday, as growers and traders expressed deep concern over the crisis. While the mandi remained open, trade activity has slowed to a trickle, with only a handful of six-tyre vehicles being loaded compa...