In a significant boost for Kashmir's horticulture sector, the Indian Railways has commenced a daily parcel train service from Budgam to Delhi, providing a much-needed alternative for transporting the region's prized apples to markets across the country. This initiative comes at a crucial time, as frequent closures of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway due to torrential rains and landslides have severely disrupted fruit transportation, leaving growers facing substantial losses.

The first parcel trains were flagged off from Budgam Railway Station on Thursday, carrying the season's finest Kashmiri apples to Delhi and Jammu. Railway officials have hailed the development as a transformative step for the Valley's economy, offering a faster, more efficient, and reliable route for horticultural produce to reach national markets.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the daily service would officially begin on September 13, 2025, with the aim of transporting apples to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi in approximately 23 hours. The train is scheduled to depart from Budgam at 6:15 AM and reach Delhi at 5:00 AM the following day. Vaishnaw emphasized that the Jammu-Srinagar line's operational status has improved connectivity to the Kashmir Valley, empowering the region's apple growers.

The move has been widely welcomed by Kashmir's fruit growers and traders, who have been grappling with mounting losses due to the highway closures. The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGDU) estimates that the highway shutdown has already caused losses of nearly ₹700 crore this season. With truckloads of produce stranded and the risk of spoilage increasing, the parcel train service offers a ray of hope for orchardists.

While the initiative has been lauded as a positive step, concerns have been raised about the current capacity of the parcel train service. According to Bashir Ahmad Basheer, president of the KVFGDU, the initial two parcel trains will carry approximately 3,000 apple boxes daily, which is insufficient to meet the industry's needs. However, he added that the government has assured an increase to eight parcels from September 13, equivalent to about 16 truckloads per day.

To utilize the service, growers can register directly through the railway department's website, paying half the fare at the time of booking. The transportation cost has been fixed at around Rs 3 per kilogram, with fruit owners responsible for loading and unloading the boxes at the railway stations.

The commencement of the parcel train service is expected to reduce transit time, minimize post-harvest losses, and improve market access for local growers. A senior railway official stated that the introduction of dedicated parcel trains opens a new chapter for growers, ensuring timely delivery to distant markets and reducing dependency on road routes that are often disrupted by weather or logistical challenges.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed gratitude to the Railways Minister for the support, noting the close coordination between railway officials, his secretariat, and the J&K Agriculture Production Department in making the service a reality. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has also acknowledged the move, stating that the daily parcel train from Budgam to New Delhi will bring significant relief to apple growers.

While the initial focus is on transporting apples, the railway service has the potential to be expanded to include other horticultural products and handicrafts, further boosting the region's economy. The long-term goal is to establish a regular feature of special cargo trains operating from Kashmir, providing growers with a reliable and efficient means of transporting their produce to markets across India.