Indian Railways has started its first-ever parcel train from Budgam in central Kashmir to New Delhi. This move comes after long-standing requests from apple growers, who struggled to transport their produce due to the National Highway from Srinagar being closed for more than two weeks because of bad weather and landslides.

Union Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw announced that a daily parcel train will run from Budgam to Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi. The train will carry fresh apples and other produce from Budgam and nearby districts to multiple states across India, helping farmers sell their goods on time and reducing losses.

The service will start with two parcel coaches, each with a capacity of 18 tons. Apples from Budgam and Baramulla will be loaded and sent to Delhi. Farmers are happy about this initiative, as thousands of trucks carrying apples were stranded during the highway closure. Now, the parcel train offers a reliable alternative to ensure fresh produce reaches markets quickly.

According to Zaffar Hussain Mir, Railway Union Kashmir, the train service will allow goods to move from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in just 4-5 days, making it easier for farmers and traders to supply products across India. The train will also carry other Kashmiri goods, such as saffron, walnuts, Pashmina shawls, carpets, and handicrafts.

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, thanked the government for taking this timely step, saying it will bring huge relief to apple growers. Farmers, like Ghulam Rasool Rather, welcomed the train, saying it would help them send their produce on time despite road closures.

Suppliers also emphasised that relying on railways is much safer and faster than waiting for the highway to reopen. This initiative is seen as a significant boost for Kashmir’s agricultural economy and a long-awaited solution for transporting fresh produce efficiently.