Anantnag, Sep 2: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat on Wednesday reviewed the operationalisation of railway goods services for transporting horticulture produce from the district to markets outside Jammu and Kashmir, stressing coordinated efforts to ensure timely movement of fruit during the harvest season.
Chairing a meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Bhat said civil administration, railway authorities, fruit associations and transporters must work together to make effective use of the available rail freight services and address logistical bottlenecks.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Muzamil Maqbool, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Tariq Ahmad Malik, SDM Bijbehara Tanveer Ahmad Tanveer, the Chief Horticulture Officer, SDPO Bijbehara, officials from Anantnag Railway Station, the President of Fruit Association Qazigund and representatives of the Transport Association Anantnag.
Officials discussed the availability of railway goods services, operational arrangements and infrastructure required for smooth transportation of horticulture produce.
The meeting was informed that horticulture is one of Anantnag’s key economic sectors, with around 32,381 hectares under orchards and an annual fruit production of nearly 3 lakh metric tonnes. Given the large volume of produce, railway freight was described as an important option for timely dispatch to outside markets.
Officials also said Jablipora, Ashajipora and Batengoo are the district’s three major fruit mandis, serving as key collection and marketing centres for horticulture produce.
Participants discussed railway goods services as a cost-effective alternative to road transport, particularly during the peak apple harvest, to improve market connectivity for growers and traders.
The DC directed all stakeholders to take necessary measures for effective utilisation of the railway freight service to facilitate timely transportation of horticulture produce across the district.
