SRINAGAR: In a significant development for Kashmir’s horticulture sector, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday announced the launch of a daily parcel train service dedicated to apple consignments from Budgam in Kashmir Valley to Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi.
The service, which will commence from September 13, 2025, aims to provide reliable and time-bound connectivity for Kashmir’s apple growers, offering them a new channel to transport their produce to major markets.
According to the minister, loading of two parcel vans carrying apples from Budgam to Delhi has already begun. With the Jammu-Srinagar railway line operational, the valley now has direct rail access to the national capital, potentially easing the transport bottlenecks that farmers have long faced on the Srinagar-Jammu highway.
The announcement comes at a time when fruit growers in Kashmir have repeatedly voiced concerns over mounting losses due to road blockages and delays in truck movement. Farmers, however, have also pointed out that while the train service is a welcome step, the limited capacity of two parcel vans per day may not be sufficient to meet the vast demand of the Valley’s multi-thousand crore apple industry.
Railways officials said the initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to strengthen agri-logistics and ensure better price realization for farmers by reducing transit delays and spoilage.
Kashmir’s apple industry, which employs lakhs of people and contributes significantly to the region’s economy, is expected to benefit from the new daily service, though growers continue to demand larger capacity and subsidized freight to make the option more viable.
