First Apple Freight Train Leaves Baramulla, Offers Lifeline to North Kashmir’s Fruit Growers

Srinagar — A 15-coach freight train carrying apples rolled out of Baramulla railway station on Saturday, delivering long-awaited relief to fruit growers in North Kashmir who say they are facing one of the toughest seasons in memory.

Officials confirmed the dispatch marked the first dedicated apple rake from the region, a step expected to cut transport costs, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure timely delivery to markets outside the Valley.

“This was urgently needed. Rail freight will ease dependence on the Srinagar–Jammu highway, which is often disrupted by landslides and closures,” a railway official said.

For thousands of families whose livelihoods hinge on horticulture, the train service is being described as a lifeline. “We were deeply worried about how to move our produce this season. With rail freight now starting from North Kashmir, it feels like a ray of hope,” said a grower from Sopore.

Growers and traders, however, stressed that the development only partially addresses their demands. They have been pressing for years for a dedicated parcel service from Sopore railway station, which sits next to Asia’s second-largest fruit mandi. They argue that restoring Sopore station’s full-fledged status would make the process more efficient and safeguard the Valley’s economy.

Local legislator Irshad Rasool Kar, who has repeatedly raised the issue with state and central authorities, renewed his call on Saturday. He urged both the Union Railway Minister and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene to restore Sopore station and expand freight services.

“Sopore Fruit Mandi, established in 1989, has grown into Asia’s second-largest fruit market. Over 300 trucks are loaded daily, and nearly 70 percent of India’s apple exports come from Kashmir. Denying a freight facility here weakens our entire horticulture sector,” Kar said.

He noted that Sopore mandi lies just 1.5 km from Sangrama station, which once operated as a full station before being downgraded to a halt point. “We are demanding only one thing: facilitation. Restore Sopore station, give us a dedicated freight service, and let growers focus on production instead of worrying about transport bottlenecks,” he added.

Officials maintained that Saturday’s dispatch from Baramulla should be seen as a first step and that further measures were under consideration to address growers’ concerns.