VINOD BHAT
SRINAGAR, Aug 10: The Northern Railway’s Cargo Parcel Train between Budgam in Kashmir and Adarsh Nagar in Delhi is operational and has not been discontinued, the railway authorities said, asserting that the service has been providing regular connectivity for farmers, fruit growers and traders in the Kashmir Valley since September 2025.
In a post on X, Northern Railway said the cargo parcel train has emerged as a boon for farmers, traders, businesses, aggregators and other stakeholders in Kashmir, providing an economical, fast and smooth mode of transportation.
“The Cargo Parcel Train from Budgam to Adarsh Nagar, Delhi is operational, and not discontinued,” Northern Railway said.
The railway said the service is playing a vital role in fulfilling Indian Railways’ commitment to facilitating trade and commerce in the Kashmir Valley.
The freight connectivity is particularly significant for Kashmir’s horticulture sector, where timely transportation is crucial for perishable produce. The service provides an alternative to road transportation and is expected to help farmers and traders transport apples, cherries and other agricultural products to markets outside Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdul Rashid, a farmer from Shopian, said a regular rail freight facility could prove particularly useful during the peak apple season, when large quantities of fruit have to be transported to markets outside the Valley within a limited period. He said farmers frequently face uncertainty because of traffic congestion and disruptions on highways. According to him, an economical rail option could help growers reduce transportation costs and retain a larger share of their earnings.
The rail link can also facilitate the transportation of products such as saffron, walnuts, pashmina shawls and handicrafts to markets across the country, providing producers with an additional route to reach major consumption centres.
The Delhi-Budgam journey can be completed in around 23 to 24 hours, offering traders a faster and potentially more economical option, particularly when road traffic is disrupted or delayed.
For years, Kashmir’s horticulture industry has remained heavily dependent on road transportation for sending fruit to markets in different parts of the country. Traffic congestion, highway disruptions, weather-related closures and long travel times can create difficulties for growers dealing with highly perishable produce.
Mohd Sultan, a fruit grower from Anantnag, said timely transportation is crucial for protecting the quality and market value of fresh fruit. He said road transportation can become unpredictable during periods of heavy traffic or adverse weather. A regular cargo train, he said, could give farmers greater certainty while planning shipments and allow them to move their produce to distant markets in a more predictable manner.
The freight train connectivity had already generated interest among Kashmir’s fruit traders last year, when the first freight train arrived in the Valley, raising hopes of a more efficient and cost-effective transportation system for the region’s horticulture sector.
The arrival of the first freight train in Kashmir was seen as an important development for fruit growers and traders, who have traditionally depended heavily on road transport to move their produce across the country.
Ashraf Ahmad, a farmer from Budgam, said the location of the cargo service makes it particularly relevant for growers in central Kashmir. He said horticulture remains an important source of livelihood for farming families and that transportation costs can significantly affect their returns. He added that a dependable rail service could reduce some of the burden on growers and encourage more farmers to consider rail transportation for sending their produce outside Jammu and Kashmir.
Farmers have also said that the usefulness of the service will depend on its regularity, available cargo capacity and ease of booking. They believe adequate capacity during the peak harvesting season would be particularly important, as large quantities of apples need to be transported within a short period.
Mohd Sultan, another farmer associated with Kashmir’s horticulture sector, said he used the rail service last year to transport apples outside the Valley and found it beneficial. He said the service helped him manage transportation expenses and improved the overall economics of sending his produce to outside markets. He added that if the service continues regularly and farmers receive clear information about schedules, booking procedures and available capacity, more growers could use the facility during the coming fruit season.
The continued operation of the cargo parcel service is expected to strengthen Kashmir’s connection with major consumption markets and provide additional logistics support to its agricultural and traditional-product sectors.
The service could also reduce pressure on the road network during the peak horticulture season, when hundreds of trucks carrying fruit leave the Valley for markets across the country.
For Kashmir’s fruit growers, who remain dependent on timely transportation to sell their produce outside the Valley, the expansion of rail-based freight connectivity could offer an important alternative to road transportation.
With the upcoming horticulture season expected to generate substantial movement of apples and other fresh produce, farmers and traders will be watching the capacity and regularity of the cargo service closely.
