SRINAGAR: In a major boost to Kashmir’s horticulture sector, Northern Railway is exploring the introduction of air-conditioned cargo train services to transport perishable fruits from the Valley to key markets across the country.
The proposed initiative is aimed at strengthening the cold-chain logistics network for high-value produce, including apples, cherries and other seasonal fruits, by ensuring temperature-controlled transit.
Officials said the move is expected to significantly reduce spoilage, preserve freshness and extend shelf life — long-standing challenges faced by growers in the region.
The faster and more reliable rail-based transportation system is also expected to help farmers secure better returns by enabling produce to reach distant markets in optimum condition.
The development is being viewed as a major step towards modernising Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture supply chain and enhancing the competitiveness of Kashmir’s produce in national markets.
If implemented, the AC cargo train service could mark a transformative shift in the transportation of fresh produce from the Valley, while advancing broader efforts towards agricultural growth, infrastructure development and farmer welfare in the Union Territory.
