Vinod Bhat
Srinagar: The Northern Railway will operate a Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) train between Delhi and Budgam to facilitate faster transportation of goods for traders in Kashmir, particularly those dealing in perishable products and handicrafts.
The service is aimed at providing a faster alternative to road transportation, with the railway authorities stating that the Delhi-Budgam journey can be completed in around 23 to 24 hours.
The dedicated cargo service is expected to benefit Kashmir’s fruit growers and traders by helping transport perishable produce, including apples and cherries, while reducing transit time and improving access to markets outside the Union Territory.
The service will also facilitate the movement of locally produced goods such as saffron, walnuts, pashmina shawls and handicrafts to markets across the country, according to the railway authorities.
The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the economy of Jammu and Kashmir by improving logistics and providing traders with an additional transportation option.
Earlier, Northern Railway’s Jammu Division had announced the operation of the JPP-RCS service between Adarsh Nagar in New Delhi and Budgam. The service was introduced on a trial basis, with its continuation subject to satisfactory occupancy levels.
Railway officials said the cargo service could provide relief to traders who have faced challenges associated with transporting goods by road, particularly during periods of traffic disruptions and delays.
The introduction of a dedicated rail cargo link is expected to improve the movement of Kashmir’s agricultural and traditional products and strengthen their connectivity with major markets across the country.
