Dedicated rail service launched to aid Kashmir’s fruit economy

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Joint Parcel Product — Rapid Cargo JPP-RCS Parcel Train from Budgam to Adarsh ​​Nagar, Delhi, at Srinagar Railway Station on Monday
| Photo Credit:
IMRAN NISSAR

In a first for the region, a dedicated parcel train pulled out of Budgam on Monday, a move expected to ease transport bottlenecks and boost Kashmir’s apple trade.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the Joint Parcel Product–Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) from Nowgam railway station.

“This new freight train service is a big step for the apple growers of the Union Territory to transport their produce to different parts of the country,” Sinha said on X, adding that he was grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ushering in “a new era of trade and business” for growers and traders.

He said the service would cut transit time, raise farmers’ incomes, and strengthen the region’s agricultural economy.

Talking to media, Sinha said that 23–24 tonnes of apples and other perishable goods would be transported daily and reach Delhi the next day.

“Heavy rains and the region’s topography often block the National Highway, causing significant losses to apple growers. This service will not only boost Jammu and Kashmir’s economy but also help farmers transport their produce to other markets at lower costs,” he said.

The train will operate regularly between Budgam and Adarsh Nagar in Delhi, offering growers and traders a quicker, safer and more cost-effective way to move apples to markets outside the Valley.

A railway official said the train comprises eight parcel coaches, each with a 23-ton capacity, and would initially carry apples and walnuts. Officials added that the service is part of a broader effort to strengthen rail connectivity in the region, improve logistics, and reduce reliance on the often-blocked highway.

The Railway Board’s Additional Member (MOBD) on Sunday inspected the vital Katra–Budgam rail section, including the Anji and Chenab bridges.

The service was launched as Kashmir’s apple harvest peaks, with farmers struggling to move produce to markets outside the Valley due to prolonged Jammu-Srinagar national highway disruptions.

Published on September 15, 2025