Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Apr 25: Due to the ongoing lockdown because of COVID-19 threat and consequent closure of Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, the shopkeepers at base camp Katra have started sending the stock of dry fruits to cold stores in Jammu.
The huge stock of fruits were stored by these shopkeepers ahead of Navratras, when heavy rush of pilgrimage is usually witnessed. Maximum shopkeepers purchase the dry fruit directly from growers this time and stock it in large quantity for sale of the same throughout the year.
However, because of the extended lockdown and more particularly the closure of the pilgrimage for the indefinite period, these shopkeepers are now sending their stock to cold stores in Jammu. Trucks loaded with the stock are being sent to Jammu daily for avoiding the dry fruit to get rotten.