SRINAGAR, 5 September 2025 — In a significant boost for Kashmir’s apple growers, the Railway Board has greenlit a daily Joint Parcel Product–Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) train from Budgam to New Delhi, set to commence in September 2025. This game-changing initiative aims to ensure faster, direct, and reliable transportation of the Valley’s prized apple produce to national markets, reducing delays caused by weather disruptions and enhancing farmers’ profits.Approved on August 20, 2025, under Railway Board letter no. 2025/TC(FM)/11/16, the JPP-RCS train will operate on a pilot basis for one year, covering 845 km in approximately 23 hours—faster than road transport, which often faces delays due to landslides, heavy rains, and traffic congestion on the Srinagar-Jammu highway. The train, equipped with eight parcel vans and a Seating-cum-Luggage Rake (SLR), departs Adarsh Nagar, Delhi, at 05:30 hrs, reaching Budgam at 06:15 hrs the next day, with the return service leaving Budgam at 10:45 hrs.
Loading and unloading facilities at Bari Brahmana in Samba district further enhance accessibility for traders.“This service is a lifeline for our apple growers,” said Divisional Railway Manager Vivek Kumar. “It reduces dependence on roads prone to weather disruptions, ensuring timely delivery to markets like Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi.” Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal added, “The JPP-RCS will empower local farmers by delivering apples, saffron, walnuts, and handicrafts to every corner of India, boosting the region’s economy.” The service’s timing aligns with the peak apple harvest season, minimizing post-harvest losses and maximizing profits.Local growers have hailed the move as transformative. Mohammad Altaf, an apple grower from Pattan Baramulla, said, “Every day counts during the apple season. This train will save us from losses caused by highway closures.”
The service, bookable via the Virtual Aggregation Platform (VAP), ensures security with Railway Protection Force (RPF) deployment and coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police, making it a reliable option for traders.Amid recent heavy rainfall and landslides disrupting road connectivity, the JPP-RCS train positions rail as a weather-resilient alternative, supporting the vision of Naya Kashmir Badalta Kashmir. By connecting Kashmir’s horticulture to national and international markets, this initiative promises to strengthen the region’s economy and empower its farmers.
