Budgam: Northern Railway will begin a regular parcel train service between Delhi and Budgam from April 17, offering a faster and cheaper alternative for fruit growers and handicraft exporters who have long complained of erratic road transport.
A senior officer said the service, officially called the Joint Parcel Product–Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS), will run on a trial basis until May 31 between Adarsh Nagar in New Delhi and Budgam in central Kashmir. If occupancy remains strong, it will be made permanent.
Train 00462 will leave Budgam at 6:15 a.m. and arrive at Adarsh Nagar at 5 a.m. the next day, covering the distance in about 23–24 hours. The return service, train 00461, will depart Adarsh Nagar at 5 a.m. and reach Budgam at 10:45 a.m. the following day.
The train will halt at Bari Brahmana and Ambala Cantonment for loading and unloading. The stop timing at Bari Brahmana has been revised following trader feedback, the official said.
The rake will consist of eight parcel vans and one seating-cum-luggage coach.
“This is meant to strengthen J&K’s economy and speed up movement of saffron, walnuts, pashmina shawls and handicrafts to national markets,” the official said.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said the decision followed persistent demand. “Our primary objective is to provide fruit growers and handicraft traders with a fast, safe and economical mode of transport,” he said.
