Kashmir cherry growers set to benefit from first-ever J&K to Mumbai cargo train
Srinagar, May 27: In a major breakthrough for cherry farmers in Kashmir, the Indian Railways is launching a dedicated parcel service from Katra to Mumbai on June 3, marking a significant step toward easing the transport of this highly perishable fruit. This initiative is expected to greatly benefit growers who have long relied on costly air cargo to export cherries to distant markets.
For decades, cherry farmers in the Kashmir Valley have faced a logistical dilemma: their produce, delicate and short-lived, needed to be shipped quickly to avoid spoilage. Air transport, while fast, is expensive and not always feasible for all growers — especially during peak harvest season when supply surges. Road transportation, on the other hand, takes too long and poses quality risks due to high temperatures and long transit times.
To address these challenges, the Jammu railway division has, for the first time, registered a VP indent — a request for a full parcel van — to run from Katra railway station to Bandra (Mumbai). A 24-ton consignment of fresh cherries will be transported in a parcel van attached to a goods train, covering the distance in approximately 30 hours. If the service proves successful, it could pave the way for more regular and cost-effective rail-based exports of fruits from the region.
“This is a long-awaited and very welcome development,” said Bashir Ahmad Basheer, president of the All Kashmir Fruit Growers Union. “The high perishability of cherries makes air cargo the only viable option so far, but the costs are unbearable for most growers. With rail transport now available, we finally have a viable alternative that can open new markets and reduce financial strain on farmers.”
The initiative is the result of months of coordination between the railway authorities, the Horticulture Department, and fruit growers’ associations. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Northern Railway Jammu, Uchit Singhal, called the initiative a “win-win” that could not only reduce road traffic but also preserve the quality of sensitive fruits like cherries during transit.
Additional logistical arrangements are also in progress.
To further increase transport capacity, Basheer said the union is in talks to attach a parcel van to Train No. 12926 (Paschim Express) from Amritsar. However, the advance freight payment requirement set by railway authorities, which mandates full payment for 25 tons regardless of actual load — poses a financial hurdle.
“Cherry production volumes fluctuate daily, and being forced to pay upfront for full capacity even when the van isn’t full puts a heavy financial burden on growers,” Basheer noted. “Despite that, we’re in continuous discussions with the railways to find a practical solution.”
If the pilot run succeeds, farmers and officials alike are hopeful that the service will become a regular feature during cherry season, providing the region’s horticulture sector with a much-needed logistical boost and contributing to the economic upliftment of thousands of families dependent on fruit farming.
