Boost for Kashmir Apple Growers: Indian Railways Launches Daily Parcel Train to Delhi
Great news for apple farmers in the Kashmir Valley! The Central government has stepped up to help them reach bigger markets faster. Starting September 13, Indian Railways will run the first daily parcel train from Badgam in Kashmir to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi. And if more demand comes in, they’ll add extra trains to keep things moving.
The Ministry of Railways shared that they’ve already set up two special Parcel Van coaches (called LVPH) to carry apples. These vans are getting loaded today, with each one holding 23 metric tonnes of the fresh fruit. "Indian Railways is all set to provide more parcel vans if fruit growers ask for them," the ministry said in a statement.
This move comes at the perfect time as the apple harvest season kicks off in Kashmir. Farmers have long needed a quick way to send their produce to Delhi’s bustling markets. To make it happen, officials from Northern Railway and the Jammu Division are working closely with state authorities, the horticulture department, fruit growers’ associations, and traders.
Here’s how the new parcel train works: It kicks off daily from Badgam Railway Station (BDGM) at 6:15 a.m. and pulls into Adarsh Nagar (ANDI) at 5:00 a.m. the next day. That’s an ideal early-morning arrival for apples to hit the Delhi markets fresh. The train will have eight parcel vans, and individual traders or growers can book one online through the Railways portal for easy access.
Plus, Indian Railways is adding flexibility by letting growers attach parcel vans at stops along the way. "We’re ready to run more trains if the demand grows," the ministry added.
This isn’t the first big win for Kashmir’s rail connectivity. Back on August 9, the first freight train loaded with 21 wagons of cement rolled into Anantnag Goods Shed from Punjab. It was a game-changer, linking the Valley to India’s national freight network. Now, this will speed up infrastructure projects, cut costs for locals, and fuel economic growth in the region.
All this is possible thanks to the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated in June this year. Freight services are already up and running on this line.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the parcel train earlier today on X (formerly Twitter). He posted: "Empowering Kashmir’s apple growers. With the Jammu-Srinagar line operational, the Kashmir Valley has better connectivity. Railways is introducing a daily time-tabled parcel train from Badgam in Kashmir Valley to Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi starting 13th September. Loading of 2 parcel vans carrying apples from Badgam to Delhi is beginning today."
This initiative shows Indian Railways’ strong push to support Kashmir’s fruit economy and make life easier for growers. Keep an eye out—more updates could be on the way as the season heats up!
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