Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday announced the launch of a daily time-tabled parcel train service connecting the Kashmir Valley with Delhi, aimed at boosting trade and ensuring faster transport of goods, especially apples.
In a post on X, Vaishnaw said the service will operate from Budgam in Kashmir to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi, starting September 13. “This initiative will empower Kashmir’s apple farmers,” he wrote, adding that the loading of two parcel vans carrying apples began on Thursday.
Approved by the Railway Board under the Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) scheme for Jammu Division, the train will provide a reliable, efficient, and economical option for traders.
According to Senior Commercial Divisional Manager Uchit Singhal, the first service will depart from Adarsh Nagar on September 13 at 12:10 pm and from Budgam on September 15 at 6:15 am. The train will reach Delhi in about 23 hours, faster than the road journey.
The service is expected to benefit traders of Kashmir’s key products, including apples, saffron, walnuts, pashmina shawls, carpets, and handicrafts, ensuring nationwide reach.
Divisional Railway Manager Vivek Kumar said the move was prompted by bad weather and heavy rains, which disrupted road transport and made it difficult to move perishable goods.
The parcel train will include an SLR coach and eight parcel vans, with loading and unloading facilities at Bari Brahmana station. Officials added that the JPP-RCS also serves as a virtual aggregation platform to encourage greater private sector participation in freight transportation.
This is the first time such a cargo train service is being operated in the Jammu Division.
