Railway Board approves daily cargo train from Kashmir to Delhi

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar: In a historical development for Kashmir’s economy, the Railway Board on Wednesday approved the launch of a daily Joint Parcel Product–Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) train between Budgam and Delhi. The initiative is aimed at providing fruit growers, handicraft dealers  and traders with a faster and more reliable option to transport their goods across the country, officials told Ziraat Times.

According to Northern Railway’s Jammu Division, the train will consist of eight parcel vans along with an SLR (Seating-cum-Luggage Rake) and will run daily between Budgam Railway Station and Adarsh Nagar, Delhi. The cargo service is expected to cover the distance in about 23 hours—shorter than road transport time from Kashmir.

In its first year, the train will operate on a pilot basis with security arrangements to be handled by the Jammu and Kashmir Police at both ends. Loading and unloading facilities will also be available at Bari Brahmana station in Samba district, making the service accessible to traders in Jammu as well.

Vivek Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager (Jammu Division), said the JPP-RCS is being introduced to promote freight transportation through railways and bring in greater private sector participation.

“It is a virtual aggregation platform… and is being operated for the first time in the Jammu Division,” he noted, adding that the registration fee for bookings has been reduced to encourage participation.

Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, said the service is primarily designed to benefit Kashmir’s traders by ensuring timely delivery of products such as apples, walnuts, saffron, Pashmina shawls, carpets and other handicrafts.

Officials said the initiative will not only expand the marketing reach of Kashmir’s fresh and dried fruits and handicrafts within India but also encourage their promotion abroad.

“With this facility, the business community can deliver goods in a much shorter time compared to road traffic. This will provide an economical option, strengthen J&K’s economy, and generate new sources of employment,” the Railway Division said in its statement.

The move is being seen as a major step towards improving logistics for Kashmir’s horticulture and handicrafts sectors, both of which are critical to the region’s livelihood base.