First-ever Kashmir-Delhi rapid cargo train to boost J&K exports

JAMMU: The Railway Board on Wednesday approved a Joint Parcel Product Rapid Cargo train from central Kashmir’s Budgam to Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar, in a bid to boost the export of J&K’s indigenous products. Jammu Division of Northern Railways will operate this train daily. This is the first such service in the Union Territory.

“The main objective is to benefit the traders of J&K, and to deliver Kashmiri goods — apples, saffron, dry fruits and walnuts, pashmina shawls, carpets, and other handicrafts — to every corner of the country and to encourage their marketing internationally,” senior commerce divisional manager (Jammu Division) Uchit Singhal said.

The train will reach its destination station, Adarsh Nagar, in about 23 hours, Singhal said. “It will have a seating-cum-luggage rake with eight parcel vans. The facility of loading and unloading goods would be provided at Bari Brahmana station,” he said.

This cargo train would be run on a pilot basis in the initial year. J&K Police would make the necessary arrangements to ensure security on both sides of the train, Singhal said “This will prove to be an economical option compared to road travel as the registration fee has been reduced,” he added.