Kashmir apple train parcel service: Indian Railways is planning to start a special parcel van service from Kashmir just for the fruit growers. This new train will carry apples and other seasonal fruits straight to Delhi. The idea came after meetings between railway officials, fruit growers and the horticulture department. They all wanted a better way to send fruits from the valley to big markets quickly and safely.
Uchit Singhal, who is the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Jammu Division of Northern Railway, shared this update. He said, “We are launching a parcel service from Budgam to connect it with Delhi in the beginning, and a proposal in this regard has been sent for approval,” Singhal said. “We have briefed the stakeholders, and they are enthusiastic about it,” he said, reported ETV Bharat.
PM Modi to Inaugurate Belagavi-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Train on Sunday
This is not the first time the railways has done something like this. Earlier, they sent cherries from Katra to Mumbai by parcel van. That train made the trip in just 30 hours, instead of the usual three days. The railway hopes the new apple parcel van will help farmers in the same way.
“Anantnag goods shed is almost ready, and its notification is in the process. Earlier, we used to get goods up to Bari Brahmna and Udhampur and from there on trucks to Kashmir. But now we will be getting the goods like cement, food grains and others directly through the train to the Anantnag goods shed,” the SDCM Jammu division informed.
Extending Vande Bharat to Jammu
People in Jammu are excited for the Vande Bharat train to be extended up to their city. Right now, it runs between Katra and Srinagar. But a few challenges need to be solved before it can come to Jammu. Uchit Singhal said, “The Jammu-Katra section has its challenges because the section capacity is already choked out. The remodelling of the Jammu railway yard plays a big part in extending the train up to Jammu. Coupled with that, the Jammu-Katra doubling of track is also underway so that line capacity could be increased.”
He shared that the washing line at Jammu railway station will be ready by the end of this month.
“There are mainly two challenges, which include washing line maintenance, which happens at Katra. The washing line at Jammu railway station is expected to be completed by the end of this month, and once this is achieved, one challenge will end. The second is the platform, and the existing number of platforms at Jammu railway station is only three, and after yard remodelling, it will be extended to seven. Once we get one of the four platforms, the Vande Bharat will be extended up to Jammu,” he said.
Vande Bharat Odisha Update: Puri–Rourkela Vande Bharat Gets 16 Coaches
“We are trying for this month to complete these works, but weather and season play a major role in the smooth conduct of the work,” the SDCM added.
When asked about extending more trains to Srinagar, he said, “Everything begins with a small step, and the first step in this direction has been taken, and the second step will be extending up to Jammu. As and when security agencies also get confidence in how we can extend more services, it will be done. The main constraint in this is that the Jammu-Katra line is single and is running at 75 kmph, due to which its line capacity to introduce more trains gets limited.”
Railway Division
Singhal also talked about how the Jammu Division has handled difficult situations He said, “Post Pahalgam attack and during operation Sindoor, it was new, challenging and unique because the situation in Jammu and Kashmir became like an exodus when the outgoing people were more and the incoming were less during that period. It was challenging to know how to meet the aspirations and offer services to the people who want to go, and how to transport them. We planned for special trains and extra coaches, and we were able to maintain the morale of the staff thanks to the cooperation we received from every branch. Everyone contributed their maximum and more than 100 per cent and more than expected.”
“It was a unique phase and probably the kind of once-in-a-lifetime phase, and it made us emerge stronger,” the SDCM Jammu division added.
As the Jammu division is still in its early stages, it continues to face several operational and infrastructural challenges. He said, “The challenges are manpower and infrastructure, and with the gaining of experience and work getting sanctioned, we have got the willingness of employees from all over to join the Jammu division. Hopefully, in the next one or two months, we will overcome these challenges, and we will be a full-fledged running division by next month.”
Vande Bharat Water Leak Sparks Concerns: Railways Cite Blocked Filters, Check Viral Video
Regarding the expansion of the Jammu Railway Division, he said, “The Jammu Division will be an expanding division as multiple surveys are going on in the Kashmir Valley, whether it is to connect the Pahalgam or the Uri and Kupwara sectors. Or it may be in the form of doubling the line across the Pir Panjal range up to Baramulla or Budgam so that when the new trains get extended up to the valley, the local trains which are running don’t suffer; otherwise, line capacity itself will become a challenge and will become a hindrance in extending the trains up to Srinagar.”
Speaking on the Vistadome train services in Kashmir, the SDCM said, “In the past few months, there have been some issues with its patronage due to many factors, but after the start of Vande Bharat, we expect better patronage of Vistadome as well. Because it offers a panoramic view, people are going to Srinagar to enjoy the view and scenery. Soon, we are keeping a close watch on the occupancy of the Vistadome coach, and as soon as we get enough demand, we will plan more coaches.”
