landmark initiative poised to revolutionise agricultural logistics for the region, a dedicated parcel train laden with 24 tonnes of fresh cherries commenced its journey from Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra station towards Mumbai on Saturday.
This inaugural freight service marks a significant step forward in connecting the Union Territory’s perishable produce directly to distant urban markets, promising substantial economic benefits for fruit growers and enhancing the efficiency of the national supply chain. The specialized parcel train is projected to reach Mumbai’s Bandra Terminus within an impressive 30 hours, a significant reduction in transit time compared to traditional road transport. Initially scheduled for June 3, the departure was strategically advanced to accommodate two additional demands for cherry loading, one each from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station and Jammu station, in the coming days.
This agile response by Northern Railway underscores a collaborative approach to facilitating timely market access for highly perishable goods, directly benefiting farmers and consumers alike. Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM), Northern Railway, Jammu, hailed the day as “historic” for the newly established Jammu division. He attributed this breakthrough to extensive deliberations and coordinated efforts among railway authorities, fruit growers’ associations, and the horticulture department of Jammu and Kashmir. This multi-stakeholder engagement highlights a commitment to fostering a sustainable and efficient cold chain logistics network, crucial for empowering agricultural communities and integrating them into the broader national economy.
The initiative has been warmly welcomed by fruit growers in Kashmir, who foresee immense benefits. Ali Mohammad, a prominent member of the New Kashmir Fruit Association Srinagar, who travelled to Katra to personally oversee the cherry loading, expressed optimism. He noted that the direct rail service would not only drastically cut down the transit time for their delicate produce but also lead to a considerable reduction in transportation costs. Historically, cherries from Kashmir had to be transported by road to transit points like Amritsar before being loaded onto parcel trains. This direct linkage from Katra offers a more streamlined and cost-effective solution.
While celebrating this initial success, the fruit growers are keenly anticipating the full operationalisation of the much-awaited Kashmir rail link, which would enable direct loading of their produce from stations within the Kashmir Valley itself. This final leg of connectivity is viewed as the ultimate game-changer, promising unprecedented relief to fruit producers by further minimising logistical complexities and costs. Calls have been reiterated for the expeditious inauguration of the direct rail service from Katra to Srinagar, a function that was previously put on hold due to inclement weather, with no new dates announced as yet. The current initiative, however, represents a strong beginning, embodying a win-win scenario for both the railways and the fruit growers, thereby poised to significantly bolster the economy of Jammu and Kashmir and enhance the accessibility of fresh, high-quality produce to cities across India.
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