In a boost for the fruit growers of the Kashmir Valley, the Union Government has launched a dedicated parcel train service to ferry apples from Budgam to New Delhi, easing the transport crunch caused by devastating floods and a prolonged blockade on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
The initiative, announced by Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday via a post on X, marks a significant step in leveraging the recently operationalised Jammu-Srinagar railway line to support the region’s horticulture sector.
“Empowering Kashmir’s apple growers,” Vaishnaw wrote in his post, highlighting the enhanced connectivity now available to the valley.
“With the Jammu-Srinagar line operational, the Kashmir Valley has better connectivity. Railway is introducing a daily time-tabled parcel train from Budgam in Kashmir Valley to Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi starting 13 September 2025,” he said.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too expressed his appreciation for the Union’s intervention. In a statement, he thanked Vaishnaw for the support, noting that “train parcels have now reached Kashmir” — a nod to the seamless integration of rail services into the State’s supply chain.
Losses to the tune of `700 crores (approximately) were reported by farmers due to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway at different intervals after the region witnessed torrential rainfall and flash floods. Hundreds of fruit-laden trucks remained stranded on the highway for a fortnight due to landslides and rain, rotting the fruit. Kashmir-based Chief Area Manager Northern Railways, Saqib Yousuf, said that two parcel trains with apples will leave from Kashmir and Jammu for Delhi on September 13.
“Two empty dedicated parcel trains will arrive at Budgam station today. The loading of apples will begin from today,” he added.
According to the Senior Commercial Divisional Manager of Jammu Division, Uchit Singhal, the first service of this parcel will depart from Adarsh Nagar, Delhi, to Budgam at 12.10 pm on September 13.