To strengthen horticultural logistics in Kashmir, two parcel vans carrying apples are scheduled to depart from Budgam station, one attached to a Delhi-bound train and the other to a Jammu-bound train, officials reported on Thursday.
The initiative is designed to provide faster and more reliable transport of Kashmiri apples to national markets, reducing dependence on the Srinagar–Jammu Highway, which is often disrupted by weather and landslides.
A senior railway official stated, "Railways have made special arrangements this season to facilitate the smooth transportation of apples. With two coaches (parcel van), growers will have an assured, efficient corridor to supply their produce to different parts of the country." The official added that the measure is expected to save growers both time and cost.
Local orchardists responded positively to the move. Abdul Majid, an orchardist from Shopian, said: "We often suffer losses when trucks get stranded on the highway for days. Already, our fruit has rotted on the Jammu–Srinagar highway in Qazigund this season. A train service gives us hope that our produce will reach markets on time and fetch better prices."
Ghulam Nabi, a grower from Pulwama, also welcomed the development. "This is a historic moment for us. Apple is the backbone of Kashmir's economy, and such steps will not only help farmers but also boost the overall economy of the Valley," he said. Nabi added that a full train dedicated to apple transport should be considered. "As we have already witnessed losses due to our rotten apples on the highway when it gets blocked for weeks, a dedicated train needs to run daily to transport our fruit to different cities of the country," he said.
Officials indicated that the current service may be expanded if demand continues.
Source: KashmirLife