Farmers in the Bhagirathi valley of Uttarkashi district are facing problems due to the deteriorated condition of the Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway (NH 108).
Due to the closure of the rural roads and the Gangotri national highway, the crops of apple and potato in Bhagirathi valley has begun to rot in the orchards and fields as the farmers are unable to transport them to the market. The farmers fear that if the road connectivity is not restored in the near future then they might have to sustain major losses.
A large quantity of apples, potatoes and other items are cultivated in the Bhagirathi valley. Popular as Savani and Ashadi crops, these fruits and vegetables have now begun to rot in the fields. Villagers from Harshil, Tharali, Mukhba and Jhala among others, generally sell their produce along the national highway to Gangotri, in Uttarkashi and other nearby markets during the rainy season. With the decline in the arrival of pilgrims and landslides in Sukki, Gangnani to Bhatwadi, laldang, Netala and other places up to Uttarkashi, the local apple crop has not reached the markets yet. A similar situation is being faced by cultivators seeking to sell their Ashadi potato crop in Bhatwadi, Hurri, Nauti, Saari and Syaba region. The villagers have been unable to send their produce to markets so far due to the bad state of the roads. According to villagers Narendra Chand and Rakesh Singh, the apples used to be sold along the pilgrim route itself during the Char Dham Yatra season. But now, due to roads blockages, the produce has not yet reached the market which is turn is posing a major problem for the many farmers for whom selling their produce in the rainy season is vital for livelihood.
It is pertinent to mention here that inspite of there being considerable demand for apples cultivated in Uttarkashi, road blockages and other problems have long been plaguing the apple cultivators and vegetable growers of this region.