The Jammu and Kashmir Fruits & Vegetable Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) has expressed its gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for introducing railway cargo services to transport apples from Kashmir to Jammu and Delhi, describing it as a "landmark step" to safeguard the Valley’s horticulture economy.
The initiative, introduced in response to the prolonged closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway during the ongoing apple season, marks the first-ever use of special railway coaches for fruit transportation from the Valley.
“This initiative is a ray of hope for fruit growers and traders who have suffered immense losses due to highway blockages. We deeply appreciate the Chief Minister's responsiveness and commitment to safeguarding the horticulture economy of Kashmir,” said JKPICCA Vice President Mohammad Arif Mir.
While welcoming the decision, the association urged the government to scale up the facility by increasing the number of railway coaches to meet the Valley’s huge export demand. It also called for the formation of a dedicated coordination committee, with fruit associations as active members, to ensure the smooth and transparent movement of produce.
JKPICCA further stressed the urgent need for restoring the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, noting that road transport remains the primary mode of apple transportation. The association also expressed concern that farmers are being forced to pay up to four times higher transportation charges due to the disruption, urging the government to intervene and curb exploitative practices.
Reaffirming its commitment to work in close partnership with the administration, JKPICCA said it remains dedicated to strengthening transport, logistics, and cold-chain infrastructure so that the horticulture sector the backbone of Kashmir's economy continues to thrive.