Kashmir apples get rail lifeline

Jammu, Sep 11: Just as a heartening development in the nick of time for distressing apple growers of Kashmir due to the closure of roads, a daily parcel train will run between Budgam and Adarsh Nagar in Delhi from September 13, 2025.

Loading of two dedicated parcel vans (VPs), for their maiden run carrying apples, from Budgam began today, September 11, 2025, thus marking a historic era of transformation.

Carrying stranded perishable fruit, they will depart from Budgam on September 12 or 13 – one bound for Jammu, while the destination for the second VP will be Adarsh Nagar in Delhi.

But the daily time-tabled (regular) parcel train will start from September 13 from Adarsh Nagar, Delhi, for Budgam, and they will depart from Budgam to Delhi on September 15, 2025.

It will be a daily service henceforth and will comprise 8 VPs and Seating cum Luggage Rake (SLR).

The news bringing cheers among worrying horticulture producers of Kashmir, seeing their perishable fruits getting rotten on and along the blocked National Highway, was first revealed during the day by the Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw with a tagline – “Empowering Kashmir’s apple growers.”

“With the Jammu-Srinagar line operational, the Kashmir valley has better connectivity. Railway is introducing a daily time-tabled parcel train from Badgam (Budgam) in the Kashmir valley to Adarsh Nagar Station in Delhi starting September 13, 2025,” Vaishnaw posted on ‘X’.

“Loading of 2 parcel vans carrying apples from Badgam (Budgam) to Delhi is beginning today,” he wrote.

His post was followed by his deputy, Union Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu, with the same tagline.

“With the Jammu–Srinagar rail line now operational, the Kashmir Valley enjoys enhanced connectivity. Starting 13th September 2025, Railways will launch a daily time-tabled parcel train from Badgam (Budgam) to Adarsh Nagar, Delhi. Today marks the beginning of apple consignments, with the loading of two parcel vans from Badgam (Budgam) to Delhi,” Bittu posted on ‘X’.

Earlier, a notification for an 8 Vehicle Parcel (VP) daily time-tabled Joint Parcel Product- Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) parcel train Adarsh Nagar-Bari Brahmana-Budgam (Ex ANDI - BBMN - BDGM) was issued.

According to railway authorities, this 8 Vehicle Parcel train will originate from Budgam Railway Station (BDGM) at 6.15 am and reach Adarsh Nagar Railway Station (ANDI) at 5 am the next day - a very suitable time for apples to arrive at the Delhi market early in the morning. They assert that more wagons would be added if demand increased.

These two Vehicle Parcel (LVPH coaches) trains will carry 46 metric tonnes (MT) - each 23 metric tonnes - of apples.

“Indian Railways is ready to provide additional Vehicle Parcel if demand is received. The Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Northern Railway and the Divisional Railway Manager of Jammu Division are in constant touch with state authorities, the horticulture department, fruit growers' associations, and traders. This train will provide flexibility to individual traders and fruit growers to book a Vehicle Parcel online through the portal www.fois.indianrail.gov.in. Indian Railways is also providing the facility to attach a Vehicle Parcel at intermediate stations,” they pointed out.

Later in the evening, in a special press conference on this initiative, Divisional Railway Manager Jammu,Vivek Kumar, stated, “This dedicated JPP-RCS train service launched by Indian Railways is a major step towards supporting apple growers in the Kashmir Valley by ensuring efficient, timely, and safe transportation of perishable produce—primarily fruits—to markets across India.”

“The new service will operate daily on the Budgam–Adarsh Nagar Delhi–Budgam (BDGM–ANDI–BDGM) route, facilitating improved market access and reducing post-harvest losses. This initiative is expected to significantly benefit both fruit growers and consumers by minimizing spoilage and ensuring the produce reaches its destination in fresh condition,” Kumar said.

He stated that Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo (JPP-RCS) train facilities were being provided under various divisions and railway sections of Indian Railways to facilitate the business class across the country.

“The same Joint Parcel Product Rapid Cargo Train service for Jammu Division in Northern Railway was approved by the Railway Board on August 20, 2025. It will run on a daily basis on the Adarsh Nagar Delhi - Budgam route from Budgam Railway Station of Kashmir Valley in Jammu Division. The decision to resume this parcel train service has been taken due to bad weather,” Kumar said.

He stated as the road traffic was affected due to heavy rains, the horticulture producers were facing a lot of problems in transporting apples and other fruits to other states and villages of the country.

“To address this problem, the railways decided to run this parcel train so that the goods can be safely transported to other parts of the country. This train will have an SLR along with 8 parcel vans. To facilitate the business class, the facility of loading and unloading of goods will be provided at Bari Brahmana station. Security arrangements will be made by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Security will be ensured on both sides of the train,” Kumar asserted.

This initiative, according to him, also aimed at increasing the share of railways in the courier business besides providing an efficient, reliable, and economical option to the customers.

“This service is a precise attempt to attract the business class to Indian Railways. Its main objective is to showcase the unique products of Jammu and Kashmir, such as Kashmir dry fruits and crafts, and encourage their marketing in India and internationally. The main objective of this initiative is to benefit the fruit producers of Kashmir, which includes small and big businessmen of Kashmir. As everyone knows, the fruits of Kashmir are known for their quality and taste, which mainly include apples, pears, and other seasonal fruits. Through this initiative, these delicious fruits will be delivered to every corner of the country,” Kumar said.

This, according to him, would prove to be an economical option compared to road traffic and the economy of the J&K would also benefit with the generation of new sources of employment.

“By reducing dependence on vulnerable road routes, these rail services will write a bold chapter for commerce in the region, invigorating the horticulture sector and bolstering the economy of the region,” Kumar said.

Divisional Railway Manager Jammu said that the Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) would promote freight transportation through railways.

“It is a virtual aggregation platform, which will help in connecting the participation of railways in the private sector. This cargo train is being operated for the first time in the Jammu division,” he shared.

Earlier, Senior Commercial Divisional Manager, Uchit Singhal, said that the first service of this parcel would depart from Adarsh Nagar, Delhi, to Budgam at 12.10 pm on September 13, 2025, and would depart from Budgam to Delhi at 6.15 am on September 15, 2025.

“The main objective of running the train is to benefit the traders of Kashmir and to ensure that their goods, which mainly include apples, saffron, walnuts, pashmina shawls, carpets, and Kashmiri handicrafts, reach every corner of the country. This train will reach its destination station, Adarsh Nagar, Delhi, safely in about 23 hours, which is less time than road traffic from Budgam,” Singhal said.

The cargo services will be operational on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of India. This rail link was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in June this year. This rail link also operates two Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar, both running at over 100 percent occupancy. These trains offer passengers accessible, affordable, and comfortable travel while elevating railway transport to a whole new level.

Notably, on August 9, the first freight train carrying 21 wagons of cement successfully reached the Anantnag goods shed in the Kashmir valley from Punjab, marking a significant milestone in connecting the region to the national freight network.