Railways eyes boost to Kashmir fruit trade via parcel network
To collaborate with cargo aggregators to support small-scale traders and producers
The Railways held a high-level meeting in the Jammu Division on Friday to chart out a strategy for transforming the economic landscape of the Kashmir Valley by connecting its renowned fruit industry and parcel trade with national markets, officials said.
The meeting was chaired by the Additional Member (Commercial) of the Railway Board and attended by Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Jammu Uchit Singhal, along with parcel traders, fruit growers, and cargo aggregators from Kashmir.
According to an official statement, the key objective was to formulate a comprehensive roadmap for increasing parcel traffic originating from the region.
“Detailed discussions focused on establishing railways as a reliable, time-bound, and cost-effective alternative to road transport, particularly for transporting cherries and other perishable produce,” the statement said.
Officials deliberated on strategies to improve occupancy of the JPP-RCS Parcel Train, which departs from Budgam at 6:15 am and reaches Adarsh Nagar, Delhi, at 05:30 am the next day via Bari Brahmana and Ambala Cantt, ensuring timely delivery of goods.
A consensus was reached to collaborate with cargo aggregators to support small-scale traders and producers. “This will enable consolidation of smaller consignments and facilitate efficient transportation through rail networks,” the statement added.
Plans were also discussed to upgrade loading infrastructure at Budgam, Srinagar, and Pampore railway stations to improve handling capacity.
To further boost parcel movement, the Railway administration is considering competitive freight rates and special concession schemes for bulk bookings by aggregators.
Commenting on the initiative, Uchit Singhal said, “Products from Kashmir have a distinct identity globally. Our aim is to build a seamless supply chain that allows farmers and traders to transport goods across the country, even up to Kanyakumari, without delays. Railways is not just a transport system but a partner in the region’s economic growth.”
