Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the move on X, stressing that the train will help apple farmers and improve trade opportunities. He added that two parcel vans have already started carrying apples from Budgam to Delhi. The initiative aims to cut travel time to around 23 hours, faster than road transport.

According to railway officials, the service will not only transport apples but also saffron, walnuts, carpets, pashmina shawls, and other Kashmiri handicrafts. Senior Commercial Divisional Manager Uchit Singhal said the first train will leave Delhi on September 13 and return from Budgam on September 15.

The project comes under the Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) approved by the Railway Board in August. Northern Railway confirmed that the train will have one SLR coach and eight parcel vans. Bari Brahmana station will provide loading and unloading facilities for traders.

Divisional Railway Manager Vivek Kumar explained that the service was planned due to heavy rains that disrupted road transport. He said the parcel train will give traders a reliable and economical alternative while boosting freight transport in the Jammu division.

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