Srinagar, September 21, 2025 – Kashmir’s apple harvest is hitting the fast track, with a whopping 6,400 tonnes of the Valley’s signature red-gold fruit delivered to Delhi markets in just two weeks, thanks to the newly launched “Apple Express” rail service. This surge highlights the lifeline that dedicated parcel trains are providing to orchardists battling erratic roads and spoilage threats, as Northern Railways ramps up operations amid the peak season frenzy.Launched on September 11 from Budgam station, the initial two-coach setup quickly evolved into a robust eight-coach fleet flagged off by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on September 15. Each coach hauls up to 23 tonnes, cutting transit time to Delhi to a swift 23 hours—down from the grueling 10-day truck hauls that often end in disaster. With daily loads hitting 160 tonnes from Budgam and additional rakes from Anantnag, the service is already at full throttle, drawing bookings from across the Valley.
Sopore’s Direct Lifeline: 14-Coach Beast Rolls Out Today
North Kashmir’s apple heartland is about to breathe easier. In a groundbreaking move, a massive 14-coach goods train is departing directly from Sopore Railway Station this Sunday, September 21—the first such service ever for the bustling fruit hub in Baramulla district. This direct dispatch targets the mounting pile-up of fruit crates at Sopore Mandi, Asia’s largest apple trading yard, sparing growers the costly trek to distant loading points like Budgam or Anantnag.”This is a game-changer for Sopore growers,” said a railways spokesperson. “By linking directly to Sopore, we’re slashing logistics costs and delivery risks, ensuring apples hit Delhi fresh and profitable.” The train, coordinated with Jammu Division officials, will ferry loads confirmed through September 26, with inquiries flooding in from Pulwama, Shopian, and beyond. Each wagon packs around 7 tonnes, promising to clear backlogs and inject cash flow into local economies.The timing couldn’t be more urgent. The Srinagar-Jammu highway, a vital artery for 2-2.6 million metric tonnes of annual apple output (India’s 70-80% supply), remains a mudslide of delays. Recent closures between Tharad and Balli Nallah have stranded hundreds of trucks, fueling a farmer strike on September 15 and cries of foul from trade leaders. Sopore Fruit Mandi President Fayaz Ahmed Malik vented: “Roads are a roulette—apples rot while middlemen cash in on panic fares.”
From Orchard to Opportunity: Railways Step Up
Kashmir’s apples aren’t just fruit; they’re a $1 billion economic engine for 3 million livelihoods. The rail initiative, blending speed and savings, is a direct response to these woes. Chief Area Manager Sakib Yousuf Yatoo reported near-100% occupancy: “We’re loading full rakes daily, and feedback from traders is electric—fresher produce means better prices.”Looking ahead, Northern Railways eyes expansions: special wagons to Baramulla and Bandipora if volumes spike, potentially matching the trucking equivalent of thousands of vehicles. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal added, “We’re locked in with growers, tweaking schedules on the fly.” Voices like former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah echo the call: “Scale this up—rails over ruts for our apple warriors.”As harvest peaks, the Apple Express isn’t just moving crates; it’s hauling hope. From Sopore’s orchards to Delhi’s shelves, this iron horse is rewriting the rules of the road.
Keywords: Apple Express, 6,400 tonnes apples, 14-coach train Sopore, Kashmir apple harvest, Northern Railways parcel service, Delhi fruit delivery, Sopore Mandi logistics, highway landslides Jammu, apple farmer relief, Manoj Sinha flag-off
