Srinagar, Oct 29 (KNS): With Kashmir’s fruit season nearing its end, the Horticulture Department and Northern Railway have initiated discussions to facilitate the transportation of horticultural produce by train, with the Railways offering concessional freight rates to encourage traders to shift consignments from road to rail.
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‎The proposal was discussed at a meeting held on Thursday in the office chamber of the Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing, where officials examined arrangements for moving fruit consignments through available railway services.
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‎During the meeting, Railway officials highlighted concessional freight rates intended to increase the utilisation of Joint Parcel Product–Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) trains on their return journeys.
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‎The initiative seeks to make use of available cargo capacity while encouraging fruit traders and transporters to consider rail as an alternative to road transportation.
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‎The Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing, stressed the need for coordination among the department, Northern Railway and the cargo aggregator to ensure that the proposed arrangements translate into actual movement of horticultural produce.
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‎The discussions come at a time when the current fruit season is approaching its final stage, leaving a limited window for growers and traders to benefit from the proposed transportation arrangement.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
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‎Kashmir’s horticulture sector depends heavily on the movement of fresh produce to markets outside the Valley, making freight costs, transportation schedules and timely delivery important considerations for growers and traders.
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‎Rail-based transportation could provide an additional option for moving consignments, although its commercial viability would depend on freight charges, cargo handling arrangements, train schedules and the availability of collection and delivery facilities.
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‎The meeting, however, did not specify when the first consignment would be dispatched, the proposed freight rates or the volume of fruit expected to be transported.
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‎It also remained unclear which destinations would be covered under the proposed arrangement and how growers and traders would access the service.
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‎Officials emphasised that coordination between the concerned agencies would be essential to ensure effective utilisation of the railway facilities during the remaining fruit season.
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‎The proposed shift towards rail freight assumes significance as stakeholders explore alternative transportation arrangements for Kashmir’s horticultural produce, particularly during periods when road movement faces logistical challenges. (KNS)