Jammu, Apr 04: In a major initiative to strengthen Kashmir’s economy by connecting its fruit industry and parcel trade with national markets, Northern Railway’s Jammu Division held a stakeholder meeting to enhance rail-based cargo movement from the Valley, officials said on Saturday.
The meeting, held in Srinagar on Friday, focused on preparing a roadmap to boost parcel traffic from Kashmir by promoting rail as a reliable, time-bound and cost-effective alternative to road transport. It was chaired by an Additional Member (Commercial) of the Railway Board. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu, Uchit Singhal, along with parcel traders, fruit growers and cargo aggregators from the region attended the meeting.
Officials said the key objective was to develop a comprehensive plan to increase parcel movement from Kashmir. Discussions centred on strengthening rail connectivity for transporting cherries and other fruit produce efficiently across the country.
Several strategies were reviewed, including improving occupancy of the JPP-RCS (Joint Parcel Product–Rapid Cargo Service) parcel train. The train departs from Badgam at 6:15 am, passes through Bari Brahmana and Ambala Cantonment, and reaches Adarsh Nagar in Delhi by 5:30 am the next day, ensuring timely delivery of goods.
A consensus was reached to work closely with cargo aggregators to support small traders and producers by enabling consolidation of smaller consignments for efficient rail transport.
Plans were also discussed to upgrade loading infrastructure at Badgam, Srinagar and Pampore railway stations. In addition, proposals for competitive freight rates and special concessions for bulk bookings were considered to further boost parcel traffic.
Singhal said the aim is to create a seamless supply chain that allows farmers and traders in Kashmir to transport goods efficiently across the country, even up to Kanyakumari. He added that the Railways is not just a mode of transport but a key partner in the region’s economic growth. (Agency)
