SRINAGAR, AUGUST 21: The Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department held a meeting with railway authorities and representatives of fruit and vegetable markets to explore modalities for transporting apples from Kashmir to different parts of the country through the railway network.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing Ghulam Jeelani Zargar. Railway officials, led by Chief Area Manager Kapil Sharma and ACM Jaswant Singh, along with presidents of various fruit and vegetable markets of Kashmir, participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the feasibility of transporting apples by rail, with focus on developing an efficient, economical and time-bound transportation mechanism for the horticulture sector.
The initiative is aimed at providing apple growers and traders with an additional reliable mode of transportation, particularly during the peak harvesting season.
Bashir Ahmad Bashir, All Valley President of the Fruit Growers and Traders Association, highlighted various issues and challenges associated with transporting apples by rail.
The participants also discussed operational aspects, including the availability and scheduling of railway services, loading and unloading arrangements, transportation time, handling of perishable fruit, packaging and other logistical requirements.
The need for better coordination among the Horticulture Department, Railways, growers, traders and other stakeholders was also emphasised.
The Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing stressed the importance of establishing a dedicated and well-coordinated railway transportation mechanism for Kashmir apples, noting that efficient rail connectivity could help reduce transportation costs and facilitate timely movement of produce to major consumption centres across the country.
Railway authorities assured that the concerns and requirements of the horticulture sector would be examined and appropriate modalities worked out in consultation with stakeholders.
The meeting formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen post-harvest management and marketing infrastructure for Kashmir’s horticulture produce, improve market access and enhance returns for apple growers.
It was decided that further deliberations would be held with trader associations, buyers, growers’ associations and transport associations to explore the most feasible mechanism for transporting fruit through the railway network.
