Shimla apple crop has a bumpy ride on rain-hit roads

Shimla, Aug 27 : Roads damaged due to the recent heavy rains have adversely affected the movement of apples from Shimla to other parts of the country.

Many roads have been damaged due to landslides and this in turn has hit the transportation of apples.

Efforts of the Horticulture Minister of Himachal Pradesh to improve the condition of roads have been hampered by continuous rains.

"After finishing the repair work on the main road, we are now concentrating on the link roads," said Narendra Bragta , Horticulture Minister, Himachalradesh.

Incessant rains for the past three months have hit the horticulturalists, vegetable growers and traders dealing with perishable agricultural produce.

"This time there were heavy rains in May, June, July and August. Those severely hit were the farmers whether it is the fruit growers or the vegetable growers. Transport has also been adversely affected," said Surinder, a resident.

Annual monsoon hits in June every year and retreats in September. It is key to irrigating 60 per cent of farmland and to driving economic growth in the country heavily reliant on agriculture.

But it leaves in its wake widespread damage to crops, roads and bridges besides loss of life every year. By Hemant Chauhan

ANI