The Jammu division of Northern Railways will start operating a Joint Parcel Product–Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) train from New Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar to central Kashmir’s Budgam from April 17, providing much-needed relief to agriculturists and handicraft merchants, officials said.
According to an official press release, the train will regularly ply on the said route until May 31, after which it is likely to be converted into a regular service subject to satisfactory occupancy levels.
Train No. 00462 will depart from Budgam at 6:15 am and arrive at Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar at 5 am the following day, it said. To facilitate more loading and unloading operations en route, the train will also halt at Bari Brahmana and Ambala Cantonment stations.
While the stoppage of Train No. 00462 at Bari Brahmana railway station has been revised to provide greater convenience to the trading community, the statement said. On the return journey, Train No. 00461 will depart from Adarsh Nagar at 5 am and arrive in Budgam at 10:45 am the next day.
The train is expected to consist of eight parcel vans and one seating-cum-luggage rake. With an estimated travel time of 23–24 hours, it will ensure that delicate and perishable goods like apples and cherries reach markets fresh.
“This initiative has been undertaken with the objective of strengthening the economy of Jammu and Kashmir and facilitating the rapid transport of local products such as saffron, walnuts, pashmina shawls and handicrafts — to markets across the country,” the release said.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said Northern Railway decided to run the parcel train on a regular basis from April 17 to May 31 following persistent demand from traders and farmers.
“Our primary objective is to provide fruit growers and handicraft traders in Kashmir with a fast, safe and economical mode of transport,” he said.
Also read: Darbar move from Jammu to Srinagar to begin on May 4
Follow us
