But Kashmir Needs More Trains
Farooq Brazloo
For the first time, we Kashmiris have witnessed a long-cherished dream materialize—one we demanded for years, yet scarcely believed would come to pass. The introduction of the *Mall Gadhi* freight train, carrying our precious apples and other fruits from the Valley to markets across India, has ignited hope among farmers and traders alike. We are deeply grateful to all who made this historic decision possible, particularly the coordinated efforts of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This rail service, launched on September 13, 2025, from Budgam to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi, promises to alleviate decades-long transport and connectivity challenges. Our horticulture sector—the lifeblood of over 3.5 million Kashmiris—stands on the cusp of a transformative boost, paving the way for growth, prosperity, and new opportunities for our hardworking farmers. Yet, while this is a monumental step, it is only the beginning. The current service, though promising, falls short of meeting the Valley’s immense needs, and we urgently need more dedicated trains with cold storage to truly revolutionize our apple economy.
Kashmir’s horticulture sector, producing over 70% of India’s apples—approximately 2.5 million metric tonnes annually—contributes 8-10% to Jammu and Kashmir’s GDP. For decades, however, growers have been tethered to the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), a precarious route plagued by landslides, floods, and closures. This season alone, heavy rains and floods stranded thousands of trucks, causing losses of Rs 600-700 crore. The *Mall Gadhi*, with its two vans carrying 23 metric tonnes each at a cost-effective Rs 2.41 per kg, delivers to Delhi in just 24 hours—a stark contrast to the Rs 50-200 per box charged via the longer Mughal Road. But with only eight parcel vans and one SLR, its capacity is dwarfed by the Valley’s output, especially during the peak harvest months of September to November. To eliminate reliance on the highway, we need multiple dedicated fruit trains equipped with refrigerated containers to preserve the freshness of apples, pears, and cherries, ensuring they reach consumers in pristine condition.
In Kulgam, a vital apple-producing district, the pain of transport woes is acutely felt. Floods in Qaimoh and Pinglana submerged orchards, wiping out up to 70% of crops and inflicting Rs 200 crore in losses. Abdul Rashid Dar, a Kulgam orchardist, shared his heartbreak: “Last week, my early-variety apples, worth Rs 5 lakh, rotted in a truck stuck at Qazigund for 15 days. Delhi buyers slashed prices by 60% due to spoilage. Dedicated trains with cold storage could have saved my harvest.” Dar’s story resonates across Kulgam, where protests erupted on September 13 at the local fruit mandi. M. Banday, president of the Fruit Growers Union Kulgam, led the charge, demanding urgent rail expansion. “One train is a drop in the ocean when 1,200-1,500 trucks are stranded. We need 4-5 seasonal trains with refrigeration to end this crisis,” Banday declared, underscoring how erratic weather has turned Kashmir’s “red gold” into a liability.
Shopian, renowned for its high-density apple orchards, faces similar struggles. Premium varieties like Royal Delicious are at risk due to highway blockades, which delay harvests and cause over-ripening. Ghulam Mohammad, an orchardist from Trich village, recounted his losses: “My 50-tonne yield was hit hard by floods along the Lidder stream, and then the highway closure spoiled my pears en route to Punjab—Rs 3 lakh gone. The *Mall Gadhi* is a start, but we need dedicated trains with cold storage to deliver fresh fruits to Mumbai or Gujarat.” Muhammad Ashraf Wani, president of the Fruit Association Shopian, echoed this, warning of “disastrous” losses from Mughal Road restrictions. “Six-tyre trucks can’t handle bulk loads safely. A fleet of refrigerated trains could cut our Rs 200-250 crore annual losses,” Wani urged, emphasizing the 4-6°C storage needed for apples.
In Baramulla, home to Sopore’s massive fruit mandi, the rail service’s Budgam-centric route leaves growers stranded. Bashir Ahmad, a Sopore apple farmer, expressed cautious hope: “The train is a relief after 60% of south Kashmir’s crop rotted in stranded trucks. But without Baramulla station access, we’re still tied to the highway. Dedicated trains with cold storage could get our walnuts and apples to Kanyakumari in days, fresh and profitable.” Bashir Ahmed, chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union, called the service a “good beginning” but stressed scale-up. “We need multiple cargo trains for two weeks at peak, with refrigerated units to cut 20-30% spoilage,” he told media, noting the sector’s Rs 15,000 crore turnover.
Union leaders amplify these voices. Izhan Javed of the J&K Fruits and Vegetables Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association criticized the train’s limited scope: “Two vans can’t handle thousands of stranded trucks. We need seasonal trains with cold storage to eliminate highway dependence.” Inam Un Nabi of the Awami Ittehad Party pushed for Baramulla extensions, stating, “Direct Delhi links from Sopore would ease small farmers’ burdens.” BJP’s Ashok Koul hailed the train as a “lifeline” but called for more rakes, while Chief Minister Abdullah emphasized refrigerated container trains for continuous transport.
The Mall Gadhi is a game-changer, but its success demands bold expansion. Multiple dedicated trains with cold storage during peak season would safeguard livelihoods, reduce import threats, and boost exports. As Kulgam, Shopian, and Baramulla growers unite in hope, the government must act swiftly to deliver enduring prosperity. The time for half-measures is over—full rail connectivity is the key to Kashmir’s thriving future.
