Indian Railways has introduced a special train service that will transport cherries from Kashmir to Mumbai in just 30 to 33 hours, a significant reduction from the earlier six to seven days it took by road. This new service uses temperature-controlled wagons to ensure that the highly perishable cherries reach the market fresh and quickly, benefiting both farmers and consumers.

The first consignment of 24 tonnes of cherries was dispatched recently from Katra railway station in Jammu division to Mumbai, marking a new beginning for the transportation of perishable goods. Today, another shipment of cherries is scheduled to be sent to Mumbai.

This initiative has brought relief to cherry growers, as it reduces spoilage and helps them access wider markets more efficiently. Additionally, transporting cherries by train has lowered the transportation cost by 75 percent compared to road transport. A parcel rake carrying 24 tonnes of cherries left Srinagar recently, attached to a passenger train bound for Mumbai.

Railway officials have announced plans to expand this service to include all kinds of fresh fruits from Kashmir to other major cities across India. This move aims to boost the income of farmers in Kashmir and provide fresh fruits to consumers nationwide.