Director, Horticulture Planning & Marketing, Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, on Thursday chaired a meeting to explore modalities for transporting apples from Kashmir to different parts of the country through the railway network.
Representatives of the Railway authorities, led by Kapil Sharma, Chief Area Manager, and Jaswant Singh, ACM Railways, along with presidents of various fruit and vegetable markets of Kashmir, participated in the meeting.
The meeting focused on assessing the feasibility of transporting apples by rail and developing an efficient, economical and time-bound transportation mechanism for the horticulture sector. The initiative is aimed at providing 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 the transportation of apples by rail.
The participants also discussed key operational aspects, including the availability and scheduling of railway services, loading and unloading arrangements, transit time, handling of perishable fruit, packaging and other logistical requirements. The need for close coordination among the Horticulture Department, Railways, growers, traders and other stakeholders was also emphasised.
Director Horticulture Planning & Marketing stressed the importance of establishing a dedicated and well-coordinated railway transportation mechanism for Kashmir apples. He noted that efficient rail connectivity could help reduce transportation costs and facilitate the timely movement of produce to major consumption centres across the country.
The Railway authorities assured the participants that the concerns and requirements of the horticulture sector would be examined and that appropriate modalities would be worked out in consultation with the concerned 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.
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