The Railway Ministry has announced a dedicated parcel train service to transport apples from Kashmir to Delhi, providing much-needed relief to orchardists in South Kashmir. The initiative comes amid a 13-day closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway due to landslips caused by heavy rainfall, which has stranded hundreds of trucks laden with apples worth approximately ₹200 crore.

The blockage of the national highway has created a logistical nightmare for apple farmers, who rely heavily on timely transportation to sell their produce. Delays not only risk quality deterioration of the perishable fruit but also translate into significant financial losses for orchardists who have invested heavily in cultivation and harvesting.

Relief for South Kashmir Orchardists

South Kashmir is one of India’s major apple-producing regions, contributing a substantial portion of the country’s annual output. The highway closure disrupted the supply chain, leaving farmers and transporters scrambling for alternatives. The parcel train service aims to bypass the road blockade, ensuring that apples reach Delhi markets efficiently.

The Railway Ministry has coordinated with horticulture departments and local transport agencies to facilitate the smooth loading, cold storage, and dispatch of apples. This initiative is expected to minimise wastage, stabilise prices, and restore confidence among farmers who faced mounting losses due to the unexpected weather-induced road closure.

Economic Impact and Market Stability

The stranded apple consignments, valued at ₹200 crore, represent not just economic stakes for farmers but also a potential supply shortfall in markets. By providing an alternate transport route, the parcel train is expected to reduce market disruptions and maintain a steady supply of fresh apples in Delhi and other northern cities.

Experts note that such interventions are crucial for perishable commodities like apples, where delays in transport can cause significant quality degradation. The train service will likely set a precedent for future emergency logistics measures, especially in regions prone to landslips and heavy rainfall.

Strengthening Agricultural Supply Chains

This move reflects the broader push by the Indian government to enhance supply chain resilience for agricultural produce. By leveraging railways as an alternative transport mode, the government not only mitigates short-term crises but also demonstrates the potential of rail logistics in reducing post-harvest losses.

Farmers have welcomed the announcement, expressing relief that their hard-earned produce will reach markets on time. Many believe that such measures can strengthen trust in governmental support during emergencies and pave the way for integrated agricultural logistics planning in Kashmir and other hilly regions.

Way Forward

The parcel train initiative is expected to continue until the Srinagar-Jammu highway is fully operational. Authorities are also considering long-term solutions, including more frequent use of rail for transporting perishable goods and upgrading cold-chain infrastructure along major fruit-producing regions.

As climate-induced disruptions and landslips become more frequent in mountainous areas, initiatives like these are likely to play a critical role in safeguarding farmer incomes and ensuring food security across India.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Karbonsteel Engineering, Taurian MPS, L. T. Elevator, Galaxy Medicare, Airfloa Rail Technology, Dev Accelerator, Jay Ambe Supermarkets, Urban Company, Shringar House of Mangalsutra, .

The Current active IPO are Nilachal Carbo Metalicks, Krupalu Metals, Vashishtha Luxury Fashion, Sharvaya Metals, Vigor Plast India, Austere Systems.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.