After Vande Bharat, Kashmir’s fruit growers pitch for ‘Apple Express’ to boost trade

With the Vande Bharat train now operational in the Kashmir Valley, fruit growers are brimming with optimism—and calling for the next step: a dedicated freight train service to transport apples directly from Kashmir to Delhi and other key markets.
Bashir Ahmed Basheer, president of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union, said the recent successful rail shipment of cherries to Delhi had opened new possibilities. “It was a positive start,” he noted, “but cherries, due to their short shelf life, were reloaded at Katra. That model won’t work for apples, which are transported in bulk.”
“A direct goods train from Kashmir to Delhi is the need of the hour,” Basheer added. “Railway officials have told us it’s technically feasible as the track remains the same. What we need now is the Central Government’s consent.”
He expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would give the green light, calling the proposed service a “game changer” for Kashmir’s horticulture sector.
Kashmir accounts for nearly 75% of India’s total apple production, with the sector supporting over 3.5 million people directly or indirectly. Popular apple varieties like Red Delicious, Maharaji, and American Apple are widely exported to Indian markets from the Valley.
However, growers have long struggled with logistical bottlenecks. The absence of a direct freight corridor forces reliance on road transport via the Srinagar-Jammu national highway—an expensive, weather-prone, and time-consuming route.
“A dedicated goods train would cut transportation costs and ensure timely, fresh delivery—especially during peak harvest season,” Basheer said.
Shabir Ahmed, an apple grower from Baramulla, said the rail line’s extension into the Valley has already created the foundation. “The track is ready. If the government gives the nod, the ‘Apple Express’ could become a reality. The highway is unreliable. We hope the Prime Minister makes it happen next year, if not this one.”
As the railway network expands across the Valley, stakeholders are hopeful that improved connectivity will bridge longstanding logistical gaps and breathe new life into Kashmir’s prized apple economy.
“Nothing like the direct train. It would be a dream come true for apple growers of Kashmir. It will save time, as time is precious in supplying apples. If allowed, our apple will reach not just the national but international markets beforehand,” said Jehangir Ahmed, another apple grower from Pulwama district of South Kashmir.