Srinagar, Sep 11 (KNO): Amid estimated losses of over Rs 700 crore in Kashmir’s apple industry, growers hailed the Centre’s decision to start a daily parcel train from Budgam to Delhi. They, however, called for extending the facility to Sopore - home to Asia’s second-largest fruit mandi.
The Kashmir Fruit Growers and Dealers Association president, Fayaz Ahmad Malik @ Kaka Ji, speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said even though the step has come late, it is highly appreciable as it will ensure quicker transport and freshness of produce.
“Amidst staggering losses, this step is appreciable. However, there must be an extension to the Sopore Railway as it contains Asia's second-largest Fruit Mandi," Malik said.
He said the initiative is going to benefit Srinagar and South Kashmir, but Sopore must be included so that north Kashmir growers too benefit and fruit reaches outside the valley timely. Authorities, he added, should also increase the number of parcel vans.
The Sopore Mandi president said Kashmir’s fruit industry has already suffered tentative losses of around Rs 700 crore due to frequent highway closures. “We kept on repeating the demand to ensure smooth movement of fruit-laden trucks, but unfortunately, nothing such happened. Trucks must be released immediately to avoid further losses as this is the peak season," he urged.
Supporting the demand, a group of growers at Sopore Mandi said the train service will prove beneficial in terms of time-saving and preserving the freshness of fruit. “We appreciate the step, but the government must think over its extension to Sopore,” they said.
Similarly, a group of fruit growers at Pulwama said the step is "a new hope", at a time when losses were piling up. "We appreciate this initiative. It will reduce our dependence on the highway, which often remains closed. It’s a long-pending demand finally fulfilled.."
Earlier, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Railways is introducing a daily time-tabled parcel train from Budgam in Kashmir Valley to Adarsh Nagar station in New Delhi. “With the Jammu-Srinagar line operational, the Valley has better connectivity. Railways is introducing a daily parcel service from September 13,” he posted on X, confirming that two parcel vans carrying apples from Budgam to Delhi have already been dispatched—(KNO)