Srinagar, Sept 05: About 25,000 metric tonnes of apples were transported by rail from Kashmir during the previous season, underlining the growing importance of railways as an alternative transportation option for the horticulture sector.
Director Horticulture Planning & Marketing Ghulam Jeelani Zargar said effective utilisation of railway freight and Roll-on-Roll-off (Ro-Ro) services can strengthen the transportation and marketing system and provide growers and traders with an economical and reliable option for moving horticultural produce to markets across the country.
Zargar made the remarks while chairing a stakeholder consultation at Rajbagh, Srinagar, convened in pursuance of the directions of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir. The meeting focused on identifying efficient, economical and reliable transportation options, particularly during the peak fruit season.
He said the establishment of rail connectivity between Kashmir and different parts of the country marked a significant milestone and offered a promising opportunity for the horticulture sector. He stressed that effective use of railway freight and Ro-Ro services could facilitate timely movement of horticultural produce, reduce logistical challenges and serve the larger interests of growers, traders and other stakeholders.
The consultation was attended by representatives of Northern Railway, the Horticulture Department, Fruit and Vegetable Market Committees, fruit growers’ associations, traders, aggregators and logistics service providers.
Participants reviewed the existing mechanism for railway freight services, operational modalities and logistics requirements. They also discussed measures to encourage greater participation by growers, traders and aggregators.
The Assistant Commercial Manager, Northern Railway, made a detailed presentation on railway services available for transporting horticultural produce from Kashmir. The presentation covered operational modalities, booking procedures and freight service requirements, giving stakeholders an understanding of the facilities and mechanisms available during the peak season.
Stakeholders also reviewed challenges encountered during the previous season and discussed measures to ensure smoother and more efficient utilisation of railway services.
President Fruit Association Sopore highlighted key transportation challenges and called for timely measures to address operational and logistical bottlenecks. He said resolving these issues would enable growers and traders to make more effective use of railway services.
Participating aggregators and logistics service providers shared their operational experience and reaffirmed their commitment to ethical, transparent and grower-friendly logistics services aimed at safeguarding growers’ interests while ensuring efficient movement of produce.
Zargar welcomed the participation of stakeholders and stressed collective efforts to strengthen the railway-based transportation mechanism. He assured full departmental support in addressing the issues raised and improving coordination.
All Valley President Bashir Ahmad Bashir welcomed the department’s initiative, appreciated its efforts to provide growers with additional and reliable transportation options, and stressed continued coordination.
The meeting underscored the need for closer coordination among Northern Railway, the Horticulture Department, market committees, growers, traders, aggregators and logistics operators, along with timely dissemination of information on freight services, booking procedures and loading and unloading arrangements.
The Directorate reiterated its commitment to facilitating greater utilisation of railway freight services, reducing dependence on road transportation, ensuring timely movement of perishable horticultural produce to major consuming markets and safeguarding the interests of fruit growers and traders of J&K.
