A recent rail consignment marked a logistics transition in India's Jammu and Kashmir's horticulture sector. On May 31, a parcel train transported 24 tons of fresh cherries from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station to Mumbai's Bandra Terminus. This initiative is a milestone in enhancing freight connectivity for perishable goods, according to Northern Railway's Jammu division.
The dispatch, initially planned for June 3, was moved forward to address additional loading requests from Katra and Jammu stations, according to railway officials.
Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Northern Railway, stated, "Today will be counted as a historic day in the recently created Jammu division of Northern Railway as railways took a unique initiative to transport 24 tons of cherries from Katra to Bandra Terminus." The project involved collaboration among railway authorities, fruit growers' associations, and the Jammu and Kashmir horticulture department. Plans for two more consignments are under discussion.
Ali Mohammad of the New Kashmir Fruit Association highlighted the benefits, "This is a very good initiative by the Northern Railways as it will not only reduce the time taken by the perishable produce to reach its destination but will also bring down the transportation charges." Cherries were initially trucked to Katra before rail loading, with the train departing at 10 am for Mumbai.
The industry aims for a direct railway link to Kashmir, with the awaited initiation by the Prime Minister. Recent adverse weather delayed the planned commencement of the Katra to Srinagar service, with no new date announced.
Source: CNBC TV18