The Northern Railway will begin a regular parcel train service between Delhi and Kashmir’s Budgam from April 17, offering a faster and cheaper alternative for fruit growers and handicraft exporters who have long complained of erratic road transport.
A senior railway officer said the service officially called the Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) — will run on a trial basis till May 31 between Adarsh Nagar in New Delhi and Budgam in central Kashmir. If occupancy holds, officials said, it will be made permanent.
He said train 00462 will leave Budgam at 6.15 am and arrive at Adarsh Nagar at 5 am the next day, covering the distance in 23-24 hours. Return train 00461 will depart Adarsh Nagar at 5 am and reach Budgam at 10.45 am the following day.
The train will stop at Bari Brahmana and Ambala Cantonment for loading and unloading. The halt timing at Bari Brahmana has been revised after trader feedback, the official said.
Eight parcel vans and one seating-cum-luggage rake will make up the rake.
“This is meant to strengthen J&K’s economy and speed up movement of saffron, walnuts, pashmina shawls and handicrafts to national markets,” the official further said.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said the decision followed persistent demand. “Our primary objective is to give fruit growers and handicraft traders a fast, safe and economical mode of transport,” he said.
