The fruit trade in Kashmir is poised for a significant uplift with the ongoing integration of the region’s railway stations into the national network. This development is anticipated to energize the Valley’s fruit sector. The recent inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the railway extension under the USBRL Project to Sangaldan, Sumber, and Khari in Ramban district, marks a pivotal moment in J&K’s connectivity narrative, bridging Baramulla to Sangaldan, with plans to link with the national network within months.
The introduction of Kapurthala’s Rail Coach Factory’s 3 phase MEMU trains on the newly electrified route promises an enhanced passenger experience and environmental benefits.
Bashir Ahmad Bhat, a leader in Kashmir’s fruit trade, views the rail expansion as a monumental advantage for fruit dispatching. Similarly, Fayaz Ahmad, representing Sopore’s fruit market, anticipates relief in transportation challenges, potentially mitigating the losses experienced during highway closures. This rail project is not just a triumph in infrastructure but a catalyst for the economic prosperity of Kashmir’s predominant apple industry, which significantly contributes to the region’s GDP and supports a vast network of farming families.