As apple harvesting nears in Kullu and Mandi over the next two weeks, local growers in Himachal Pradesh face a familiar challenge: monsoon‑damaged roads threatening to hamper fruit transportation. Recent early monsoons brought flash floods and landslides, impacting yield and road stability. Yet officials and orchardists paint a brighter picture.
According to Puran Chand Bodh, a retired agricultural adviser turned orchardist, about 88 % of villages now have road access, backed by rapid-clearance teams from Himachal PWD and the Border Roads Organisation. A 40,000 km network—26,000 km of all‑season PMGSY roads and connections to 10,591 villages, offers multiple alternate routes. When highways are blocked, smaller pick-up trucks and light commercial vehicles keep produce moving along routes like Bajaura–Kandi–Katula–Mandi.
Growers also benefit from government-set fruit markets in Himachal, improved cold storage, and a raised Minimum Import Price, from ₹50 to ₹80/kg, shielding incomes even if yields drop. While some remote villages await full connectivity, the overall consensus is clear: robust road networks and agile logistics are turning heavy rains into a manageable hurdle for apple growers.
