Business
Faster Rail Freight Service Launched to Support Kashmir Valley Traders
To provide relief to traders in the Kashmir Valley, especially fruit growers and handicraft merchants, Northern Railway’s Jammu Division will begin operating a Joint Parcel Product–Rapid Cargo Service train between Adarsh Nagar in New Delhi and Budgam in Kashmir starting April 17.
The service will run regularly on a trial basis until May 31, after which it may be introduced as a permanent service depending on occupancy levels. The train will also halt at Bari Brahmana and Ambala Cantonment stations to facilitate loading and unloading operations along the route.
According to the Railways, the cargo service offers significantly faster transit compared to road transport, covering the route in about 23 to 24 hours. This will help preserve the freshness of perishable produce such as apples and cherries while enabling quicker delivery to markets.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s economy by improving the transport of local products including saffron, walnuts, pashmina shawls, and handicrafts to destinations across India.