SRINAGAR, 11 September ,2025 — In a significant boost to Kashmir’s horticulture sector, Indian Railways launched two dedicated parcel vans on Thursday, September 11, 2025, to transport Kashmiri apples from Budgam station to Delhi and Jammu. This initiative aims to provide a faster, safer, and more reliable alternative to the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44), which has been plagued by closures due to landslides and heavy rains, causing substantial losses for apple growers.The move comes as a response to the prolonged closure of NH-44, particularly at Qazigund, where over 1,500 apple-laden trucks have been stranded for weeks, leading to losses estimated at ₹500–700 crore as produce rots. The parcel vans, one attached to a Delhi-bound train and the other to a Jammu-bound train, mark the start of a transformative era in Kashmir’s logistics, reducing dependence on vulnerable road routes.Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that a daily timetabled parcel train from Budgam to Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi will begin on September 13, 2025, further strengthening connectivity. “With the Jammu-Srinagar line operational, the Kashmir Valley has better connectivity. Railways is empowering Kashmir’s apple growers.
A Game-Changer for Kashmir’s Apple Industry
Kashmir, the country’s largest apple producer with an annual output of approximately 19 lakh metric tonnes, relies heavily on horticulture, which supports around seven lakh families and contributes nearly 7% to Jammu and Kashmir’s Gross State Domestic Product. The frequent disruptions on NH-44, caused by torrential rains and floods, have severely impacted growers, especially during the peak harvest season in September.Local orchardists have welcomed the railway initiative. Abdul Majid, an orchardist from Shopian, said, “We often suffer losses when trucks get stranded on the highway for days. A train service gives us hope that our produce will reach markets on time and fetch better prices.” Ghulam Nabi from Pulwama called it a “historic moment” for Kashmir’s economy, urging authorities to deploy a full train for daily apple transportation to further minimize losses.Railway officials emphasized that the parcel vans will ensure timely delivery to national markets, such as Delhi’s Azadpurmandi, and reduce post-harvest losses. “By reducing dependence on vulnerable road routes, these direct rail services signify a bold new chapter for commerce in the region,” a senior official said. The service is expected to expand, with eight parcel vans planned for daily operations to Delhi, capable of carrying thousands of cartons of apples.
Future Plans and Grower Expectations
Bashir Ahmed, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union, praised the initiative but expressed hope for dedicated goods trains to further streamline transportation. “We are hopeful that goods trains from Kashmir will start soon, and we have already begun registering growers for that,” he said. The Joint Parcel Product–Railway Cargo Service (JPP-RCS), set to begin later in September, will operate with eight parcel vans and one second luggage rake, covering 845 km under electric traction, with strict security measures enforced by the Railway Protection Force.The introduction of rail-based logistics is seen as a critical step to invigorate Kashmir’s horticulture sector, providing growers with better access to markets and reducing economic losses. With the service coinciding with the peak apple harvest, it offers a timely solution to the challenges faced by the region’s apple industry.
