first-ever-indian-railways-cargo-set-to-reach-kashmir-valley

The Railway Board on Wednesday approved the launch of a cargo train linking Budgam in the Kashmir valley with Adarsh Nagar in Delhi, aiming to enhance trade for local businesses and artisans. The service is expected to streamline the movement of regional products while providing a faster, safer alternative to road transport.

 

A circular issued by the Railway Board stated that the Northern Railway Zone’s proposal for a Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo (JPP-RCS) train service had been cleared. The service will operate on a daily basis, initially on a one-year pilot.

 

“The train service shall operate with eight VPs (parcel vans) and one SLR (seating-cum-luggage rake). It will have an intermediate loading/unloading facility at Baribrahman (BBMN),” the circular noted.

 

Security arrangements will be coordinated with the state police, including parcel scanning and protection at both origin and destination stations. The Board further suggested half-yearly reviews to assess the pilot’s effectiveness and recommended wide publicity among stakeholders, particularly in Jammu Division.

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“This service is focused to benefit the business class. Its main objective is to showcase the unique products of Jammu and Kashmir, such as dry fruits and handicrafts, and to encourage their marketing in India and abroad,” said Uchit Singhal, senior commercial manager, Jammu Division.

 

The train will cover the Budgam-Delhi route in approximately 23 hours, considerably shorter than road transport. “Products such as apples, saffron, walnuts, pashmina shawls, carpets and Kashmiri handicrafts can be transported faster than ever now,” he added.

 

Officials described the initiative as a strategic step to increase the share of railways in the courier and logistics business, while providing an efficient and economical alternative for traders and exporters.

Earlier, on August 9, Indian Railways ran its first-ever freight train from Rupnagar in Punjab to Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley. The train, carrying cement, arrived at Anantnag Goods Shed around noon, marking a historic milestone in linking the Kashmir Valley to India’s national freight network. The development follows the successful launch of passenger operations along the 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramula Rail Link (USBRL) in June.