About 25,000 metric tonne (t) of apples were transported by rail from Kashmir during the previous season, the Horticulture Department director said, underlining the growing role of rail freight as an alternative to road transport. Ghulam Jeelani Zargar chaired a stakeholder consultation in Rajbagh, Srinagar to identify efficient, economical and reliable transportation options for the peak fruit season.

Zargar said effective utilisation of railway freight and Roll-on-Roll-off (Ro-Ro) services could strengthen the transportation and marketing system and offer growers and traders an economical and dependable means to move produce to markets. He called the establishment of rail connectivity between Kashmir and other regions a significant milestone that presented opportunities for the horticulture sector. The consultation aimed to improve timely movement of perishable produce and reduce logistical challenges.

Representatives of Northern Railway, the Horticulture Department, market committees, growers associations, traders, aggregators and logistics providers reviewed operational modalities and logistics requirements. The Assistant Commercial Manager of Northern Railway explained available services, booking procedures and freight requirements to clarify facilities for the peak season. Participants identified measures to encourage wider participation by growers and traders.

Stakeholders reviewed challenges from the previous season and discussed measures to ensure smoother utilisation of rail services, including clearer information on freight services and loading arrangements. The president of the Fruit Association, Sopore, highlighted transportation bottlenecks and urged timely operational responses. Aggregators and logistics providers outlined operational experience and reaffirmed commitments to transparent, grower-friendly services.

Zargar welcomed stakeholder engagement and assured departmental support to improve coordination and address raised issues, while the All Valley President emphasised continued collaboration. The Directorate reiterated its commitment to facilitate greater utilisation of railway freight, reduce dependence on road transport and ensure timely movement of perishable horticultural produce to major consuming markets. Coordinated action among Northern Railway, market committees, growers, traders and logistics operators was described as essential to safeguard the interests of fruit growers and traders in Jammu and Kashmir.