Umaiser Gull Ganaie
Budgam, Sep 11: Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday announced a major relief for Kashmir’s apple growers, with the introduction of a daily time-tabled parcel train from Budgam to Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi starting September 13, 2025.
In a post on X, Vaishnaw wrote, “Empowering Kashmir’s apple growers. With the Jammu–Srinagar line operational, the valley now has better connectivity. Railways is introducing a daily time-tabled parcel train from Badgam to Delhi from 13th September 2025.”
Minister added that the loading of two parcel vans carrying apple consignments from Budgam to Delhi has already begun today, marking the first step towards easing the crisis caused by highway disruptions.
Officials said that today, two parcel vans will depart from Budgam station, one bound for Delhi and the other for Jammu, both laden with the season’s finest Kashmiri apples.
The Lieutenant Governor conveyed his appreciation for the initiative. “The daily parcel train from Budgam to New Delhi will bring huge relief to apple growers. My deepest gratitude to the Prime Minister and Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji,” the office of the LG said on X.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Minister for Railways for his support in making this initiative possible. A post on his official X handle said, “The Chief Minister has expressed gratitude to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for his support, as train parcels have now reached Kashmir. The horticulture department is coordinating the transportation with the fruit growers.”
Varun Mital from Fine Valley Agri Farms, whose consignment was among the first dispatched on Thursday, said that the initiative has come at a critical time. “Earlier, sending fruit to Delhi used to take around 36 hours. Now the same work will be done in just 20 hours. This will directly improve the quality of fruit reaching the markets,” he said.
He noted that the continued closure of National Highway-44 had badly affected growers. “The highway, considered the lifeline of Kashmir, has remained shut for 14 days. We lost 30–60 percent of our produce in trucks that got stranded. In plums, we faced a 100 percent loss, and in pears nearly 70 percent,” he said.
According to Mital, Thursday’s trial included two cargo coaches carrying about 3,000 apple boxes—around 36 tons. Each railway container, he added, can carry up to 23 tons of fruit. “Today, two of our trucks with 1,500 boxes each were loaded. In future, the number of trains and cargoes will increase, with proper scanning and other facilities in place,” he said.
Mital credited the government for introducing the service at short notice. “This is a great initiative, and it will benefit not only us but also other growers. It reduces our dependency on the highway and opens a more reliable route through the railways,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Railways, Wasem Qadri, on Thursday said that from September 15, a special daily VP train will operate from Budgam railway station to Adarsh Nagar, Delhi, carrying eight parcel coaches with fruits, especially apples.
Qadri while talking to media persons at Budgam railway station said that the service comes at a crucial time for fruit growers. “What we had originally scheduled was from the 15th of September. But since the highway continues to remain closed and people’s fruit consignments are getting damaged, we have preponed the process. That’s why today, a double-coach parcel train carrying apples has been dispatched,” he said.
He added that from September 15 onwards, the operation will be a continuous process with eight coaches running daily. “The VP train will transport fruits from here, especially apples, and on its return it will also carry consignments from Delhi,” the SSP said.
On security arrangements, he noted, “Security will be fully intact. Both Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Railway Protection Force will jointly ensure the safe operation of this service.”
Officials said the step is expected to significantly reduce losses suffered by orchardists due to highway blockades and provide a reliable corridor for Kashmir’s apple economy.
KTMF welcomes move
Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) has welcomed the facilitation of apple transportation through train services in view of the frequent closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
KTMF President Mohammad Yaseen Khan extended heartfelt gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for personally intervening and ensuring that the horticulture sector, particularly apple growers and traders is provided with a viable alternative to keep the supply chain active.
