Budgam, :: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan, chaired an interaction meeting with fruit growers of Budgam district, along with Railway authorities, to encourage the growers to make use of parcel rail services for transportation of apples from the Valley to various fruit mandies across the country.
The meeting focused on creating awareness among fruit growers about the facilities and benefits available under the parcel train service and encouraging them to adopt railways as a reliable, economical and efficient mode of transporting their produce to markets outside Kashmir Valley.
During the meeting, officers from the Railways provided detailed information to the fruit growers regarding the complete parcel booking process, loading facilities, operational arrangements and fare charges applicable for transportation of apples through rail. The growers were also apprised of the procedures to be followed for booking their consignments and the facilities available at the railway station to facilitate hassle-free transportation.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized the importance of exploring cost-effective and efficient transportation options for the horticulture sector, which forms a vital component of the district’s rural economy.
He said that parcel rail service is among the cheapest available modes of transportation for carrying apples to different parts of the country and can substantially reduce the transportation burden on fruit growers. He urged growers to make maximum use of the service, particularly during the peak harvesting season.
The Deputy Commissioner further highlighted that Budgam Railway Station is among the most accessible railway stations for fruit growers of Budgam district, making it convenient for growers and traders to transport their produce from the district to various fruit markets and mandies across the country.
The growers were informed that one railway wagon has a carrying capacity of approximately 1,600 to 1,700 boxes of apples, enabling substantial quantities of fruit to be transported in a single consignment. It was further informed that the rail service can help growers send their produce to distant fruit mandies within a few days, thereby facilitating timely market access and reducing the concerns associated with prolonged transportation.
The Deputy Commissioner called upon the concerned departments and Railway authorities to maintain close coordination with fruit growers and provide all necessary facilitation at the booking and loading stages. He also stressed the need for sustained awareness among growers regarding the parcel rail service so that more horticulturists can benefit from the facility.
He said that efficient transportation and timely access to markets are crucial for ensuring better returns to fruit growers and strengthening the horticulture economy of the district. He encouraged growers to collectively explore the rail parcel facility for bulk transportation of apples to markets across the country.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the fruit growers to raise their queries and seek clarification from Railway officials regarding booking procedures, fare charges, loading arrangements and other operational aspects of the parcel service.
The meeting was attended by Area Manager, Railways, Budgam; Joint Director Planning, Budgam; Chief Horticulture Officer, Budgam; Area Marketing Officer, Budgam, and a number of fruit growers from different parts of the district.
