43 tonnes of cherries from Kashmir transported through SLR, parcel vans

Around 43 tonnes of fresh luscious cherries of Kashmir have been transported to major markets across the country through special VPs (parcel vans) and the SLR (Seating cum Luggage Rake) coach facility from the Jammu Railway Division till date during the current season.

According to railway officials, so far cherry consignments have been sent as railway parcels through SLR and parcel vans in train numbers 12472, 12474, 12476, 12920, 19028 to major stations, including Surat (Gujarat), Bandra (Maharashtra), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh, Chhayapuri- Vadodara (Gujarat) etc.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM), Jammu Railway Division, Uchit Singhal stated that the dispatch of 43 tonnes of cherries through SLR and VP was proof of the growing trust of J&K fruit growers and traders in rail services.

“Indian Railways is committed to providing efficient and economical logistics solutions to the farming community. Our teams are ensuring priority loading, safe handling, and timely delivery so that perishable produce reaches consumers fresh. Similar facilities will continue for apples and other fruits as well,” he shared.

Singhal said that Indian Railways was once again proving to be a fast and reliable mode of transport for fruit growers and traders of Jammu and Kashmir.

He pointed out that cherries were reaching destinations in less time through rail service without loss of quality, enabling farmers to get better prices.

Delineating key features of the service being provided by the Jammu Railway Division, Raghvender Singh, Public Relations Inspector, Jammu Railway Division said, “With SLR and VP facilities, all traders, small or big, are able to book cherries as per their demand. Growers of the Jammu region are now bypassing the uncertainties of road transport and sending their produce directly to major mandis (markets).” 

Utilisation of parcel space in passenger trains, Singh said, was generating additional revenue for Railways besides boosting the marketing of agricultural produce.

The railway administration has appealed to all stakeholders to make maximum use of the rail parcel service and cooperate in taking the premium fruits of Jammu and Kashmir to markets across the nation.

On May 25, 2026, the season’s first special parcel van, carrying Kashmir valley’s luscious cherries weighing around 12 tonnes, departed for Mumbai from Jammu Railway Station.

Prior to that, 18 tonnes of cherries were already sent to Mumbai.

Till May 25, 2026, 28 VP indents were already received from Jammu and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway stations for cherry transportation.

According to Singhal, apart from 28 special VPs (parcel vans), the SLR (Seating cum Luggage Rake) coach facility available in regular trains on the route will also continue. “Small and medium traders will also be able to send their low-volume consignments safely and affordably,” he said.