A day after Indian Railways commenced dedicated parcel train services to transport Kashmiri apples to markets outside the Valley, officials announced on Sunday that more such trains will soon be added to the route.
The announcement came during an interaction between the Additional Member of the Railway Board (MOBD), senior railway officers, and apple traders, fruit growers, and agglomerators in Anantnag district.
Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Jammu Division, said growers were briefed on the benefits of rail connectivity in comparison to road transport, especially amid disruptions like the ongoing closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway.
“Currently, apples are being transported from Kashmir to Delhi and other areas by parcel cargo trains. More parcel trains will be added in the future,” Singhal said. He underlined that the service would ensure quicker, safer, and more efficient access to national markets for Kashmiri produce.
The Railways started freight operations for apples on Saturday between Budgam and Adarsh Nagar railway stations in Delhi. A similar initiative was undertaken earlier this year when parcel trains were deployed to carry cherries from Katra to Mumbai.
Prior to the launch, the MOBD conducted a key inspection of the railway section from Katra to Budgam, which includes the landmark Anji Bridge—India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge—and the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge.
Officials said the inspection also covered passenger amenities at Katra Railway Station, including lounges, restaurants, and shopping facilities, along with a review of operational preparedness, safety standards, and structural integrity across the route.
The move is being welcomed by the Valley’s fruit growers, who see rail freight as a lifeline for the apple industry during highway closures and peak harvest season.
