Indian Railways has begun transporting fresh apples from Kashmir to Delhi, giving a major boost to growers at the start of the peak harvest season. On September 11, 2025, two parcel vans, each with eight wagons carrying 23 metric tonnes of apples, were loaded to move the valley’s produce to the national capital. Railway Ministry stated that additional wagons will be added if demand increases.
To further support farmers and traders, Railways will introduce a daily time-tabled parcel train from September 13 between Badgam and Adarsh Nagar in Delhi. Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the government is set to launch this service and highlighted the improved connectivity with the operational Jammu-Srinagar line.
In a post on X, he said, “Apples being loaded in parcel van at Badgam station in Kashmir. Railways is introducing a daily time-tabled parcel train from Badgam in Kashmir Valley to Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi starting 13th September 2025. Loading of 2 parcel vans carrying apples from Badgam to Delhi is beginning today.”
The train, consisting of eight parcel vans, will depart Badgam at 6:15 am and reach Delhi at 5:00 am the next day, ensuring apples arrive fresh in wholesale markets early in the morning. Online booking will be available for growers and individual traders, while extra vans can also be attached at intermediate stations.
Railway officials, including the Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Northern Railway and the Divisional Railway Manager of Jammu Division, are in constant coordination with state authorities, the horticulture department, and grower associations to ensure smooth operations.
This development follows the successful run of the first freight train carrying 21 wagons of cement, which reached Anantnag from Punjab on August 9. That milestone marked Kashmir’s stronger integration with the national freight network and is expected to reduce logistics costs while accelerating infrastructure development in the valley.
These initiatives come under the larger Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June. The project has already improved passenger connectivity, with two Vande Bharat trains running between Katra and Srinagar at over 100% occupancy.
The introduction of dedicated apple parcel trains is expected to significantly benefit Kashmir’s horticulture sector, which employs thousands of people and contributes substantially to the region’s economy.
