In a major push to support the apple industry in the Kashmir Valley, Northern Railways on Monday supplied 21 container-based wagons to facilitate the smooth transportation of apples from the region. The initiative marks a significant step in improving logistics for perishable goods from the valley, officials said.
According to railway officials, over 6,400 tons of apples have been transported from Kashmir to Delhi in the past week using a combination of bogie covered wagons (BCN) and parcel coaches. The apples are being dispatched from the Anantnag Goods Shed Terminal, a key hub in South Kashmir.
“A total of 21 wagons were supplied at Bari Brahmana for loading. Each wagon carried about 76 special containers, each weighing 40 kilograms,” officials said, highlighting the scale and efficiency of the operation.
Infrastructure Support for Apple Storage
In a parallel move to strengthen Apple’s storage infrastructure, the Jammu Railway Division arranged for the transportation of crates and racks used in cold storage units. These were loaded at Bari Brahmana Railway Station and sent to Lassipora in Pulwama district, where several cold storage facilities are located.
For the first time, puff panels — insulated steel panels essential for temperature-controlled storage — were also unloaded at Anantnag. “These panels provide enhanced insulation and energy efficiency, enabling better preservation of apples,” an official said.
Rapid and Reliable Transport to Delhi
The railway service commenced on September 11, 2025, with the dispatch of two parcel van coaches — one to Jammu and another to Adarsh Nagar, Delhi. Each van carried around 23 tons of produce. Officials hailed the service as a historic milestone, noting that the coach from Budgam reached Delhi in less than 21 hours, while the Jammu-bound coach arrived in under six hours.
On September 15, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off a special train of eight parcel van coaches from Srinagar to Adarsh Nagar, Delhi. These trains, each with a capacity of 23 tons, reached their destination faster than conventional road transport, offering a time-efficient and cost-effective alternative for farmers and traders.
Diversifying Transport for Essential Goods
Beyond apples, the parcel train service is being extended to transport other essential goods. So far, over 500 tons of mustard oil and food items have been moved from Bari Brahmana to Budgam, ensuring uninterrupted supply chains even during periods of road disruption.
Officials from Northern Railway confirmed that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to revamp freight logistics, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote sustainable agricultural trade from Jammu and Kashmir.
