In a boost for apple growers in Kashmir, the Indian Railways on Thursday began loading fresh apples into two parcel vans for transportation to Delhi, and announced that a daily parcel train will be introduced on the Badgam–Adarsh Nagar route from September 13.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a post on X said, “Empowering Kashmir’s apple growers. Railways is introducing a daily time-tabled parcel train from Badgam in Kashmir Valley to Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi starting 13th September.”
Each of the parcel vans can carry 23 metric tonnes of apples, officials said, adding that more vans would be provided if demand increases. The initiative is expected to ease transport for traders and ensure timely arrival of apples in the Delhi market.
Railways said the daily time-tabled parcel train, consisting of eight parcel vans, will depart Badgam station at 6:15 am and reach Adarsh Nagar in Delhi at 5 am the next day, making it convenient for apples to hit the market early in the morning. Facilities for attaching vans at intermediate stations are also being provided.
The Northern Railway’s Principal Chief Commercial Manager and the Divisional Railway Manager of Jammu are coordinating with the horticulture department, fruit growers’ associations and traders to streamline operations, the ministry said.
The move comes as the apple harvest season picks up in the Valley. Railways recently began freight operations on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June, which has already carried cement and other goods into Kashmir. The line also operates two Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar that have been running with over 100 per cent occupancy, officials added.