A parcel train carrying 24 tonnes of cherries departed from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station to Mumbai’s Bandra Terminus on Saturday (31 May).
The initiative, described as “historic” by the Jammu division of Northern Railway, marks the first time such perishable produce has been dispatched from the region by rail.
Today will be counted as a historic day in the recently created Jammu division of Northern Railway as railways took a unique initiative to transport 24 tonnes of cherry from Katra to Bandra Terminus, said Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Northern Railway, Jammu, PTI reported.
He noted that the train, which will reach Mumbai in 30 hours, had been rescheduled ahead of its initial 3 June departure to accommodate further bookings from Katra and Jammu.
The project followed extensive coordination between railway authorities, fruit growers’ associations, and the horticulture department of Jammu and Kashmir.
The success has already prompted two additional indents for future cherry consignments.
Ali Mohammad, representing the New Kashmir Fruit Association Srinagar, welcomed the initiative.
He said that the initiative will not only reduce the time taken by the perishable produce to reach its destination but will also bring down the transportation charges.
He added that cherries were brought in trucks from Kashmir and loaded it in the parcel train before it left for its destination in Mumbai.