Railway Minister Launches Parcel Train for Kashmir Apples to Delhi

Rapid Summary

• Railway Minister Ashwini vaishnaw announced a daily parcel train service between Budgam (Kashmir Valley) and Adarsh Nagar, Delhi, operational from September 13, 2025.
• Initiative aims to support Kashmir’s apple growers struggling with transportation due to the closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway caused by landslips from heavy rainfall over the last 13 days.
• Losses for orchardists are estimated at ₹100-200 crore; many trucks had to unload rotten apples due to delays.
• Each parcel van carries 23 metric tonnes of apples; two vans were loaded on Thursday for transport to Delhi markets.
• Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar abdullah expressed gratitude and highlighted severe challenges facing the apple industry during harvest season.
• Kashmir contributes over 70% of India’s apple production, recording 20.40 lakh metric tons in 2023-24.Orchardists suggested scaling up with multiple full cargo trains daily for adequate relief.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This initiative is a timely intervention aimed at addressing logistical bottlenecks impacting Kashmir’s critical horticulture sector amid adverse weather disruptions along the Srinagar-Jammu highway-a major transit route for supplies. while commendable as an immediate solution, the service appears limited in scope considering peak harvest volumes and losses estimated in hundreds of crores already incurred due to stranded goods.

The horticultural economy forms a backbone in J&K’s agricultural output, contributing significantly nationally (over 70% share). Ensuring efficient market connectivity during seasonal peaks is vital not only for growers but also India’s wholesale supply chain stability concerning perishables like apples.Stakeholder perspectives suggest additional measures-such as deploying multiple cargo trains-to better meet demand during crises while reducing reputational risks linked to quality degradation among buyers nationwide.

Read More: The Hindu