In a landmark move that is set to reshape the economic dynamics of the Kashmir Valley, the Northern Railway has announced a new daily Joint Parcel Product–Railway Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) between Budgam and New Delhi.
Effective this September, this service will act as a quicker, reliable, and dedicated logistics route from the Kashmir Valley for the region’s premier produce: the internationally-acclaimed Kashmiri apple.
This is much more than a new logistics service; it is a game-changer, a new lifeline for the thousands of apple growers and traders that compose the social and economic fabric of the valley to the highest level.
For years, the success of the harvest depended upon transportation issues. The unpredictable nature of perishables coupled with plagued road conditions, delays due to weather, and more movements meant that quality deteriorated, the growers lost significant amounts of money, and their produce was claimed as “bad.”
They would lose the heady marketing advantage they rightfully deserved to prove that even as a perishable product members of India deserve the attention of buyers, duration, and quality time to establish market share in New Delhi Mandis—while now they have a rail alternative to help realize their marketing position as best.
The advantages of this ‘fruit train’ are various. To start, speed and efficiency are of the utmost importance. A daily service that is focused on a particular product allows for defined schedules and much shorter transit times, meaning the fruit will move from orchard to market faster than ever.
Reduced wastage is exceedingly critical with perishable products that are best reduced by a direct and seamless move to consumption, ensuring a better product to the consumer and a better price to the farmer.
Seemingly, now we have a low-cost commodity that’s reliable and allows farmers to step away from the unreliable costs of road transport – and we are also seeing the variable costs of road transport, such as fluctuating fuel prices.
The timing of the fruit train is impressive given it coincides with the peak harvest of many local farm commodities, suggesting thoughtful consideration and an intent to make change in our farming community.
It is further a great demonstration of how targeted infrastructure development can be done to enhance the local community and its regional economy. It exhibits a sound understanding of the realities, and the ability, to make sustainable change.
