Jammu, Apr 3: In a significant move to boost Kashmir cargo connectivity and integrate the Valley’s fruit industry with national markets, Northern Railway’s Jammu Division convened a high level stakeholder meeting in Srinagar, officials said on Saturday.
The meeting, held on Friday, focused on developing a comprehensive roadmap to enhance rail based parcel movement from Kashmir. The initiative aims to position rail transport as a dependable, time efficient, and economical alternative to road networks.
Chaired by a senior official from the Railway Board, the session was attended by Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Jammu Uchit Singhal, along with fruit growers, parcel traders, and major cargo aggregators from across the region.
Discussions centred on improving the transportation of perishable goods, particularly cherries and other fresh produce, by strengthening rail logistics. Officials highlighted the need to increase utilisation of the JPP-RCS (Joint Parcel Product–Rapid Cargo Service) train operating from Badgam.
The parcel service departs Badgam early morning and reaches Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar the next day, ensuring timely delivery for traders and wider market access.
Participants also agreed on closer collaboration with cargo aggregators to support small-scale traders. This step will enable consolidation of smaller consignments, making rail transport more accessible and efficient.
To further streamline operations, plans were outlined to upgrade loading infrastructure at key stations including Badgam, Srinagar, and Pampore. The Railway administration is also considering competitive freight pricing and special concessions for bulk cargo bookings to attract higher participation.
Speaking at the meeting, Singhal emphasised the broader vision of creating an uninterrupted supply chain from Kashmir to the southernmost parts of the country.
He noted that the region’s products enjoy a unique global identity and stressed that the Railways aims to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth by ensuring seamless connectivity.