Over 100 livestock trucks stranded as NH-44 closure sparks mutton shortage and price surge across the Valley
By: Javid Amin | 03 Sep 2025
A Season of Celebration Meets a Wall of Disruption
In Kashmir, weddings are more than ceremonies—they are cultural epics. From the intricate rituals of the wanwun to the lavish spread of wazwan, every detail is steeped in tradition. But this year, the monsoon rains have rewritten the script. With the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) blocked for days due to landslides and flooding, the Valley’s mutton supply has collapsed—just as the wedding season reaches its peak.
Over 100 trucks carrying livestock are stranded along the highway, unable to reach their destinations. The result: empty butcher shops, skyrocketing prices, and anxious families scrambling to salvage their celebrations.
The Highway That Feeds Kashmir: NH-44’s Role in Livestock Logistics
NH-44 is more than a road—it’s Kashmir’s economic artery. Stretching from Jammu to Srinagar, it facilitates the daily movement of essential goods, including vegetables, grains, fuel, and livestock. For mutton dealers, this highway is the lifeline that connects them to suppliers in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Each day, dozens of trucks loaded with sheep and goats make the journey northward. These animals are then distributed to butchers across Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, and other districts. The timing is crucial—especially during wedding season, when demand for mutton triples.
But when NH-44 is blocked, the entire supply chain grinds to a halt. And in a region where refrigeration infrastructure is limited, delays mean spoilage, financial loss, and public frustration.
The Anatomy of a Supply Chain Breakdown
The recent blockade began with torrential rains that triggered landslides in Ramban, Doda, and Banihal. Boulders crashed onto the highway, roads collapsed, and traffic was suspended indefinitely. Livestock trucks, caught mid-journey, were forced to park in unsafe zones with limited access to food, water, or shelter for the animals.
Drivers report that many animals have died en route due to stress and starvation. Others are deteriorating rapidly, with traders fearing total loss. The Mughal Road, an alternate route, is only partially open and unsuitable for heavy livestock movement due to steep gradients and unpredictable weather.
This isn’t just a logistical failure—it’s a humanitarian and economic crisis unfolding in real time.
Voices from the Valley: Butchers, Brides, and Blocked Trucks
In Srinagar’s bustling Zaina Kadal market, butcher shops that once overflowed with fresh meat now stand half-empty. “We’re getting 30% of our usual supply,” says Bashir Ahmad, a third-generation butcher. “Customers are angry. Prices are rising. And we’re losing trust.”
For families preparing for weddings, the crisis is deeply personal. “We had planned a 21-dish wazwan,” says Shabnum Jan from Anantnag, whose daughter’s wedding is next week. “Now we’re being told to cut it down to 10. It’s heartbreaking.”
Truck driver Rakesh Kumar, stranded near Ramban, shares his ordeal: “We’ve been here for four days. No food, no water. The sheep are dying. We’re losing lakhs.”
These voices reflect a broader truth: when infrastructure fails, it’s the people who pay the price.
Price Surge and Spoilage: Economic Fallout in Real Time
With supply down and demand soaring, mutton prices have spiked across the Valley. In Srinagar, rates have jumped from ₹600/kg to ₹850/kg in just five days. In rural districts, prices are even higher, with some vendors charging ₹900/kg.
Traders estimate that over ₹5 crore worth of livestock may be lost if the blockade continues. Spoilage is rampant, and many dealers are now considering emergency slaughter to salvage what they can.
This price surge is not just a market fluctuation—it’s a socioeconomic shock. For low-income families, mutton is now unaffordable. For wedding hosts, traditions are being compromised. And for traders, the financial hit could take months to recover from.
Mughal Road and Alternate Routes: A Fragile Lifeline
The Mughal Road, which connects Poonch to Shopian, has been partially opened to allow limited movement of light motor vehicles (LMVs) and essential goods. But its steep terrain, narrow passes, and unpredictable weather make it unsuitable for livestock trucks.
The Srinagar–Sonamarg–Gumri (SSG) Road offers another route, but it’s under Border Roads Organization (BRO) regulation and subject to clearance delays. In short, there is no reliable alternative to NH-44—and that’s a problem.
Experts argue that Kashmir needs a dedicated logistics corridor for perishable goods, with climate-resilient infrastructure and emergency bypasses. Until then, every monsoon will bring the same chaos.
The Politics of Meat: Appeals, Accountability, and Public Pressure
The crisis has sparked political reactions across party lines. Traders and citizens have appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for immediate intervention. Social media is flooded with hashtags like #MuttonCrisis, #NH44Blocked, and #KashmirWeddings, demanding action.
Opposition leaders have criticized the government’s lack of contingency planning, while ruling party officials assure that restoration efforts are underway. But for families facing wedding cancellations, these assurances ring hollow.
This moment is not just about meat—it’s about governance, accountability, and the right to celebrate without disruption.
Cultural Significance of Mutton in Kashmiri Weddings
In Kashmiri culture, mutton is more than food—it’s a symbol of hospitality, tradition, and pride. The wazwan, a multi-course feast served at weddings, features iconic dishes like Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, Rista, and Tabak Maaz—all made from mutton.
To host a wedding without these dishes is unthinkable for many families. It’s not just about taste—it’s about honoring guests, preserving heritage, and fulfilling social expectations.
This supply crisis, therefore, strikes at the heart of Kashmiri identity. It’s not just an economic issue—it’s a cultural wound.
Climate, Infrastructure, and the Future of Food Security
The mutton crisis is a symptom of a larger problem: the intersection of climate volatility and fragile infrastructure. With monsoons becoming more erratic and intense, landslides and road collapses are no longer rare—they’re routine.
Kashmir’s food supply chains are vulnerable to these disruptions. Without investment in climate-resilient roads, cold storage facilities, and decentralized logistics, every season will bring new crises.
Experts recommend:
- Building multi-modal transport corridors
- Expanding controlled atmosphere (CA) storage for perishables
- Creating real-time supply chain dashboards for traders
- Training drivers and vendors in emergency protocols
Only then can Kashmir move from reactive crisis management to proactive resilience.
Bottom-Line: Lessons from a Blockade—Toward Resilient Planning
The blockade of NH-44 and the resulting mutton crisis offer a sobering lesson: infrastructure is not just concrete and asphalt—it’s the backbone of culture, economy, and daily life.
As Kashmir grapples with climate change, political complexity, and economic fragility, it must invest in systems that protect its people from disruption. Weddings should be moments of joy—not anxiety. Markets should be places of abundance—not scarcity.
This crisis is a call to action—for planners, policymakers, and citizens alike. Because in Kashmir, even a plate of Rogan Josh tells a story of resilience.
