Kashmir: First Parcel Train with 24 Tonnes of Cherries Departs for Mumbai

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SRINAGAR: A parcel train carrying 24 tonnes of fresh cherries departed from Katra station in Jammu and Kashmir to Mumbai’s Bandra Terminus on Saturday, in what the Northern Railway’s Jammu division described as a “historic” initiative, according to media reports.

The refrigerated parcel van, attached to a goods train, is expected to reach Mumbai within 30 hours. The dispatch was originally scheduled for June 3 but was advanced to accommodate two additional loading requests, one from Katra and another from Jammu station in the coming days.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Northern Railway, Jammu, Uchit Singhal said the move followed extensive coordination among railway authorities, fruit growers’ associations, and the horticulture department. He termed the departure of the first cherry-laden train as a significant step in boosting freight connectivity for the region’s perishable produce.

Fruit growers in Kashmir welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that the Kashmir Valley would soon be directly connected to the railway network, allowing seamless transport of perishable goods to key markets.

For years, cherry growers have relied on costly air cargo due to the fruit’s short shelf life. This rail-based transport method, now formally initiated through a VP (parcel van) indent, provides a more affordable alternative, potentially expanding market access for small and marginal growers.