Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Monday urged fruit growers and traders to make greater use of railway freight services for transporting horticulture produce, particularly apples, to domestic and international markets, describing it as a more economical option for long-distance consignments.
Chairing a meeting to review the use of rail freight for horticulture produce, Garg directed deputy commissioners and the Director of Horticulture Planning and Marketing to engage with growers, traders and fruit associations to encourage wider adoption of railway services.
He emphasised increasing the movement of fruit consignments through railway facilities, particularly from Jablipora Mandi in Anantnag, and asked district administrations to explore shifting a portion of fruit transportation from roads to railways.
The meeting also reviewed the Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) service, with Northern Railway officials asked to share information on technical requirements, including permissible load limits and vehicle specifications, to facilitate its use by transporters.
Garg and Inspector General of Police (Traffic) M. Soleman Choudhary also directed fruit associations to sensitise truck drivers about adhering to prescribed load limits on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. They warned that overloading poses safety risks and disrupts traffic management, adding that action would be taken against violators.
Representatives of fruit associations sought improvements in transport infrastructure and better railway connectivity for fruit mandis, while officials highlighted the potential cost benefits of rail freight for the horticulture sector.
