Over 20,000 tonnes of apples from Kashmir transported by rail since Sep 2025
Jammu, Jan 1: Jammu Railway Division of the Northern Railway transported over 20,000 tonnes of apples from Kashmir to other parts of the country through its Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) or parcel train service in 2025.
It was a part of the evolutionary changes brought in J&K, particularly in Kashmir, by the freight train service of the Jammu Railway Division.
The operation of JPP-RCS (parcel train service) by the Jammu Railway Division commenced on September 11, 2025.
“Since its (parcel train carrying apples) flagging off by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on September 15, 2025, to provide reprieve to the apple growers and traders of the Valley, providing a faster, safer and more economical mode of transport, there has been no looking back vis-à-vis the successful “apple story” henceforth. The service got a further boost with the successful operation of the Anantnag goods shed,” stated Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu Railway Division, Uchit Singhal, while addressing media in Jammu.
Sharing how Anantnag goods-shed contributed to the freight train service success story of Jammu Railway Division, since its inception and official notification in 2025, Singhal said, “More than 1.5 lakh tonnes of cement have been brought in by rail alone since notification on August 9. Automobile rakes brought in vehicles (to the Valley) for the first time; FCI foodgrain rake was also handled successfully on December 21. Other freight traffic like plastic crates, insulated panels and salt was also dealt with - along with crucial horticulture and other products.”
He stated that it was like a big dream becoming reality with the Vande Bharat Katra-Srinagar train service flagged off by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6.
“Almost 3.75 lakh passengers have availed the services so far of these 2 pairs of trains. Another achievement was that Reasi as a stoppage was also inaugurated for Vande Bharat, meeting a long pending demands of the locals. To promote religious tourism, another Vande Bharat Katra-Amritsar train service was also introduced during the year 2025,” he stated.
How the Katra-Srinagar train service helped in crisis management, giving a brief account of it, Senior DCM Jammu Railway Division stated that special coach augmentation was made, along with 24x7 situation room monitoring, post Pahalgam attack, during Operation Sindoor in close coordination with civil and military authorities.
According to him, during the challenging flood situation post August 26, the Jammu Division staff worked 24x7 to assist the stranded passengers besides ensuring speedy restoration of track.
“The Division also operated flood relief special Katra-Sangaldan train service. Effective rush management steps were taken during April and October to facilitate passengers during Navratras, Diwal-Chhat period and again during flight disruptions during the Indigo crisis in the last quarter of 2025,” Singhal said.
Delineating achievements on business development front, he stated that the wolves were transported by VP (parcel van) for the first time in close coordination with wildlife department; two rakes of molasses loaded departed Tanda station earning more than Rs 2.7 Cr combined; multiple goods shed improvement works were done; Chann Arorian goods shed was also notified; inward maize rakes to Kathua for the first time along with paper traffic were transported from Kathua in piecemeal.
“First time 15 VPs of cherry were transported in May-June from Katra and Jammu to Bandra in Mumbai and multiple SLRs leased for the first time. Besides, Jammu Railway Division also participated in a trade and logistics conclave hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce this year,” Singhal mentioned.
With regard to non-fare revenue earning, according to him, more than Rs 94 Cr (realisable over next 3-5 years) worth of contracts for earning were given by the Jammu Railway Division during the last 3 quarters for catering, MPS, parking, SLR leasing, advertising, other NFR outlets etc.
“These are the additional contracts done apart from the ones already running when Jammu Railway Division was established. Various assets were monetised for enhancing the non-fare revenue earning of the (Railway) Division,” Singhal maintained.
Among various other non-fare revenue initiatives adding to revenue, local employment and passenger convenience, mobile and mobile accessory stores, garment and textile stores, grocery and photocopier kiosks, Prasad counters, catering stalls, Multipurpose stalls among various other outlets, stalls, kiosks were established across the (Railway) Division.
Briefing about repeated ticket checking drives, Singhal informed that more than 63000 cases were detected and around Rs 3.72 Cr revenue was generated as fine through ticket checking in the last 3 quarters of 2025 alone.
Besides, three fake UTS tickets were detected by the Jammu Railway division checking staff during one such drive.
“The Division also successfully organised fortress, ambush and magistrate checks. The ticket checking staff along with RPF escort of the division have done a stupendous job in re-uniting the lost family members, fetching back the left belongings of the travelling passengers and coordinating to provide urgent medical attention to the travelling passengers for which they have received accolades from the people,” Singhal mentioned.
He pointed out that recently, on December 29, 10 employees of the division were even graced with the PCCM award for their dedication and efforts.
