Daily parcel train for apple consignments from Budgam to Delhi from Sep 13: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Srinagar, Sep 11: Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday announced a major relief for Kashmir’s apple growers, with the introduction of a daily time-tabled parcel train from Budgam to Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi starting September 13, 2025.

In a post on X, Vaishnaw wrote, “Empowering Kashmir’s apple growers. With the Jammu–Srinagar line operational, the valley now has better connectivity. Railways is introducing a daily time-tabled parcel train from Badgam to Delhi from 13th September 2025.”

Minister added that the loading of two parcel vans carrying apple consignments from Budgam to Delhi has already begun today, marking the first step towards easing the crisis caused by highway disruptions.

The announcement comes at a time when thousands of apple-laden trucks remain stranded on the Srinagar–Jammu highway due to landslides, putting Kashmir’s horticulture sector under severe stress.

Growers and traders have welcomed the move, saying the railway initiative will help mitigate huge losses and ensure timely transportation of the valley’s prime produce to markets outside J&K. (KNC)