Srinagar, Jun 06 (KNO): The inauguration of the Srinagar-Katra rail link has been widely hailed by stakeholders from horticulture, handicrafts and trade sectors in Kashmir as a “historic and transformative step” towards boosting the region’s economic landscape.
They have urged the government to introduce direct train services from Kashmir to major metropolitan cities, especially Delhi, with a dedicated goods train service.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chairman of Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Mohammad Yaseen Khan said that enhanced rail connectivity is a much-needed boost for Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. “It will greatly benefit fruit growers, especially those dealing in apples and cherries, by enabling faster and more efficient transport of their produce to markets across India," he said.
Besides horticulture, the rail link will also help artisans, traders and small-scale manufacturers by improving access to broader markets, he added.
Khan said the infrastructure boost would not only reduce travel time but also open new avenues in trade and overall economic activity in the region.
The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, the elected apex body of fruit growers across the valley—including areas like Srinagar, Sopore, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Handwara, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, and Kulgam—termed the new railway link a “historic and transformative movement” for J&K’s connectivity.
“This is more than just infrastructure; it is a bridge of opportunity,” said Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the union and president of the New Kashmir Fruit Association. “With better accessibility, Kashmir will witness a major influx of tourists. The railway network is expected to significantly reduce travel time, enhance all-weather connectivity, and provide a safe, economical mode of transport for both locals and tourists.”
Basheer said the new rail link will serve as a lifeline for the horticulture industry, especially during off-season months. It will help decongest roads, lower transport costs, and make Kashmir more accessible to domestic travellers, he said.
"We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for this visionary step,” Basheer added.
The union also urged the central government to launch direct rail connectivity between Delhi and the Kashmir Valley, along with a dedicated goods train service, to ease logistics for fruit traders and other local businesses.
Such steps, it said, would not only enhance trade but also create new revenue streams for the railway authorities and significantly bolster J&K’s economy.
Meanwhile, noted Kashmiri artisan Ghulam Rasool stressed the need for the revival of the handicrafts sector, which he said stands to gain substantially from improved connectivity.
“Better transportation can help Kashmiri artisans access wider markets and rejuvenate a sector that is an integral part of our cultural heritage,” he said.
Khan, who has also received Padma Shree in Handicrafts, however, said the government should give more importance to the revival of handicrafts in Kashmir as it is on its deathbed with no youth interested in it due to several reasons.
"With the death of elder people who are currently associated with handicrafts, there will be no one doing this," Khan said—(KNO)