Kinnaur sets up 24×7 control barrier to streamline Apple transport and curb overcharging
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, July 26,
As the 2025 apple harvest picks up pace in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district, the administration has rolled out a crucial initiative to manage the heavy influx of goods vehicles and safeguard the interests of apple growers. A 24-hour Control Room-cum-Barrier has been established at Chaura on National Highway-5, the principal route for transporting the region’s apple produce to markets across the country. The measure, announced by District Magistrate Dr. Amit Kumar Sharma, IAS, is aimed at addressing persistent issues of traffic congestion, transporter malpractice, and unregulated freight charges that surface each year during the July-to-November harvest season.
Under the new system, every goods vehicle crossing the Chaura checkpoint will be required to register its destination and cargo details. This real-time regulation is intended not only to streamline the movement of vehicles but also to ensure transparency in freight operations. Empty trucks entering the region will be assigned specific destinations within Kinnaur and its adjoining areas for apple collection, based on movement slips issued at the barrier. The checkpoint will be jointly manned by personnel from the Revenue, Police, and Horticulture departments, who will verify documentation, inspect cargo, and enforce compliance with officially notified freight rates—an issue that has long caused concern among apple orchardists.
To further tighten the enforcement mechanism, the district administration has designated the Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildar of Nichar as Duty Magistrates to oversee operations at the checkpoint round-the-clock. The enforcement effort will be supported by continuous police presence under the command of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Nichar, headquartered at Bhabanagar. Additionally, to ensure accountability among transport operators, the District Police will now issue photo identity cards to all drivers and conductors involved in apple transportation.
In another move to introduce transparency and prevent unauthorized charges, the administration has fixed market entry charges: ₹100 for pick-up vans and 4-wheelers, ₹250 for 6-wheelers, and ₹500 for larger trailer trucks. These charges will be officially recorded and maintained by the office of the Superintendent of Police, Kinnaur. With apples being the economic lifeline of the district, the proactive approach by the administration is expected to provide significant relief to growers while facilitating a smoother, more organized flow of produce along the state’s busiest agricultural corridor. The effort also aims to curb long-standing issues of overcharging, exploitation, and bottlenecks, thereby ensuring a more equitable and efficient apple season in the high-altitude district.
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