In an effort to combat theft, fraud, and non-payment issues related to apple transportation, the authorities in Shimla district have announced new measures to regulate the movement of apples during the peak season.
Police officials revealed that only GPS-enabled vehicles will be registered for inter-state transportation, and the details of suspicious merchants will be scrutinized through KYC procedures.
Over the past three years, Shimla district has witnessed approximately 100 cases of apple theft and more than 500 incidents involving cheating, forgery, and non-payment of dues. These alarming figures have prompted the implementation of stricter protocols to ensure the smooth and secure transportation of the state's vital apple produce.
SP Shimla Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi emphasized the significance of the measures aimed at curbing such instances. He stated that in order to achieve this, only GPS-enabled vehicles would be registered for inter-state transportation in Shimla district. Furthermore, he mentioned that the police would have access to these GPS devices. The utilization of GPS technology was emphasized as a means to trace stolen vehicles and detect any deviations from their designated routes. This, in turn, would discourage potential theft and unauthorized transportation.
Himachal Pradesh boasts a thriving economy of approximately Rs 5,000 crore associated with apple production and sales. The peak season for apple cultivation begins in mid-July, extending until the end of October. Some apple varieties are already entering the market by late June, while apples from higher altitudes and tribal areas continue to be available until October's conclusion.
As part of the new plan, meetings were held with growers, middlemen, and transporters to communicate the implementation of these measures, which will be effective from July 15 to October 15. The objective is to streamline apple transportation and ensure the highest level of security for this valuable commodity. Furthermore, a comprehensive database of dubious merchants with records of cheating, forgery, non-payment, and check bounce cases has been compiled.
The police control rooms will meticulously scrutinize the KYC details of loaders and buyers with a history of dishonest dealings with apple growers and middlemen, enhancing transparency and reducing the potential for fraudulent activities. To facilitate these efforts, checkpoints and control rooms will be established at all entry points to the state, with the primary control room situated in Fagu.
Any merchants found to have a dubious history will be reported to the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), as well as to apple growers and middlemen, empowering them to take preemptive measures.
In light of the alarming statistics from the previous year, during which 70 individuals lost their lives in 130 accidents related to the apple season, the authorities are determined to mitigate road accidents. Strict actions will be taken against drunk drivers, overloaded vehicles, and those exceeding speed limits. Approximately 45,000 vehicles were utilized last year to transport around 3.40 crore boxes of apples, underscoring the immense traffic challenges associated with the peak season.
Police officials have identified specific routes, bottlenecks, and accident-prone areas, and signages will be installed in spots that have a history of fatal accidents. Additionally, specialized machinery such as JCBs, cranes, and hydraulic equipment will be stationed at strategic points along the routes, and highway patrols will be deployed to efficiently manage traffic congestion.
