In a bid to strengthen the economic link between Kashmir Valley’s fruit industry and national markets, Northern Railway held a stakeholders meeting on Friday to enhance rail-based parcel movement from the region. The initiative aims to position rail transport as a reliable, time-bound, and cost-effective alternative to road freight for the Valley’s produce, officials said.

The meeting was chaired by an Additional Member (Commercial) of the Railway Board and attended by Jammu’s Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Uchit Singhal, alongside parcel traders, prominent fruit growers, and key cargo aggregators. Discussions focused on formulating a roadmap to increase parcel traffic originating from Kashmir, particularly cherries and other fruits, ensuring timely delivery to national markets.

A central part of the strategy involves enhancing the occupancy and efficiency of the JPP-RCS (Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Service) parcel train. This service departs from Badgam in Central Kashmir at 6:15 a.m., passing through Bari Brahmana and Ambala Cantonment, before reaching Adarsh Nagar in Delhi at 5:30 a.m. the following day. This schedule is designed to ensure traders receive prompt delivery of goods.

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Stakeholders agreed to collaborate with cargo aggregators to consolidate smaller parcel loads, enabling small-scale farmers and traders to efficiently transport their produce. Plans were also shared to upgrade loading facilities at Badgam, Srinagar, and Pampore railway stations, while discussions included competitive freight rates and special concession schemes for bulk bookings.

Singhal emphasised that the railways are not just a mode of transport but a partner in the region’s economic growth. “Products from Kashmir hold a distinct identity on the global stage. The objective is to create a streamlined supply chain that enables farmers and traders in Kashmir to transport their goods all the way to Kanyakumari without delays,” he said.

The rail link connecting the Valley with Katra town in the Jammu division was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June last year, providing a crucial corridor for economic activity and integration of Kashmir’s agricultural output with the national supply chain.

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