SRINAGAR: In a significant boost to Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector, Indian Railways has flagged off the season’s first special parcel van carrying premium Kashmiri cherries to Mumbai, aiming to ensure faster delivery, reduced spoilage and improved market access for fruit growers across the Valley.
Around 12 tonnes of cherries packed in nearly 966 boxes were loaded into a dedicated parcel van at Jammu railway station on Saturday. The van was attached to Train No 19028 Jammu Tawi–Bandra Terminus Vivek Express, which will depart for Mumbai at 5:45 am on May 25.
Railway officials said the consignment is expected to reach Bandra Terminus within approximately 33 hours, substantially cutting transportation time for the highly perishable fruit and helping preserve its freshness and quality.
The move comes as cherry harvesting gains momentum in Kashmir, where growers and traders frequently face transportation bottlenecks, delays and spoilage while sending produce to distant markets.
Describing the development as a “major leap” in agricultural logistics, Public Relations Inspector, Jammu Railway Division, Raghvender Singh, told reporters that said the Railways had made special arrangements to ensure speedy transportation of the fruit.
“Keeping in mind the delicate fruit, the Railways has made special arrangements to retain its freshness. Such fast delivery will preserve the quality of the cherries and the people of Mumbai will get the taste of fresh cherries, picked straight from the orchards,” Singh has said.
According to railway officials, 28 VP indents for cherry transportation have already been received from Jammu and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway stations, reflecting strong demand among traders for the specialised service.
Officials said that apart from the dedicated parcel vans, the SLR (Seating-cum-Luggage Rake) coach facility available in regular trains will continue for small and medium traders transporting lower-volume consignments.
Earlier, around 18 tonnes of cherries had already been sent to Mumbai, the officials said.
Growers and traders have welcomed the initiative, saying faster rail connectivity could help minimise losses caused by delays and ensure better returns by enabling produce to reach markets in fresher condition.
The cherry season marks the beginning of Kashmir’s annual fruit cycle and is often viewed as an indicator of market activity ahead of the larger apple harvest later in the year.
Officials said the Railways is working towards strengthening cold-chain-linked agricultural logistics and expanding market linkages for horticulture produce from Jammu and Kashmir across the country.
