Jammu, Sep 12: Just a day ahead of the commencement of new Delhi-Budgam-Delhi Joint Parcel Product Rapid Cargo Train (JPP-RCT) service to provide much sought-after reprieve to the Kashmir fruit growers on September 13, stranded apple-laden parcel train from Budgam Friday reached Jammu.
“Historic moment for fruit growers, traders and aggregators of the valley as the first delivery of apples was given successfully at Jammu Railway Station on date. The apples were transported from Budgam to Jammu in less than 6 hours by rail,” stated Senior Commercial Divisional Manager of Jammu Railway Division, Uchit Singhal.
Loading of two dedicated parcel vans (VPs), for their maiden run carrying stranded apples, from Budgam had begun on September 11, 2025, thus marking a historic era of transformation. Carrying stranded perishable fruit, out of these two Vehicle Parcel (LVPH coaches) trains carrying 46 metric tonnes (MT) – each 23 metric tonnes – of apples, one was bound for Jammu while the destination for the second VP was Adarsh Nagar in Delhi.
Meanwhile, sharing important update about the daily parcel train that will run between Budgam and Adarsh Nagar in Delhi from September 13, 2025, Singhal said, “The first JPP-RCT service, after commencing from Adarsh Nagar tomorrow, will reach Budgam. Parcel train will get loaded on September 14 from Budgam and will start in the morning of September 15.”
He stated, “Service has been highly patronised by the traders and fruit growers combined. Resultantly, the first trip of 8 VPs (parcel vans of 23 tonnes capacity each) has been fully booked by the registered fruit-traders, aggregators, fruit-growers and merchants mainly for apples.”
Singhal asserted that it was a very unique initiative taken by the railways and liked by the fruit growers and traders. “The initiative is likely to boost the economy of the J&K and give an equal opportunity and level playing field to all the small, medium and large-scale fruit growers and traders of the Valley,” he reiterated.
The daily time-tabled (regular) parcel train will start from September 13 from Adarsh Nagar Delhi for Budgam and it will depart from Budgam to Delhi on September 15, 2025.
It will be a daily service henceforth and will comprise 8 VPs and Seating cum Luggage Rake (SLR). A notification for an 8 Vehicle Parcel (VP) daily time-tabled Joint Parcel Product- Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) parcel train Adarsh Nagar-Bari Brahmana-Budgam (Ex ANDI – BBMN – BDGM) was issued.
According to railway authorities, this 8 Vehicle Parcel train will originate from Budgam Railway Station (BDGM) at 6.15 am and reach Adarsh Nagar Railway Station (ANDI) at 5 am the next day – a very suitable time for apples to arrive at the Delhi market early in the morning. They assert that more wagons would be added if demand increased.
This dedicated JPP-RCS train service has been launched by Indian Railways to ensure efficient, timely and safe transportation of perishable produce—primarily fruits—to markets across India.
“The new service will operate daily on the Budgam–Adarsh Nagar Delhi–Budgam (BDGM–ANDI–BDGM) route, facilitating improved market access and reducing post-harvest losses. This initiative is expected to significantly benefit both fruit growers and consumers by minimizing spoilage and ensuring the produce reaches its destination in fresh condition,” Singhal said.
To facilitate the business class, the facility of loading and unloading of goods will be provided at Bari Brahmana station. Security arrangements will be made by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Security will be ensured on both sides of the train. The first service of this parcel would depart from Adarsh Nagar Delhi to Budgam at 12.10 pm on September 13, 2025 and would depart from Budgam to Delhi at 6.15 am on September 15, 2025.c
