Kashmir’s premium Cherries rMumbai, Vadodara and Surat at Rail Speed; Railway plays key role
Ferozepur, June 1, 2026: In a major boost for cherry growers in Jammu and Kashmir, the region’s famous juicy red cherries are now reaching major markets across the country through fast and efficient rail transportation. Cherries are being dispatched from Amritsar to Bandra (Mumbai), Vadodara and Surat through Western Railway services, with the Firozpur Rail Division playing a crucial role in ensuring smooth logistics and operations.
During May 2026, approximately 12.97 tonnes of premium-quality cherries were loaded from Amritsar through the Parcel-SLR (Seating-cum-Luggage Rake) service. A total of around 1,157 boxes of cherries have already been transported to Mumbai, Vadodara and Surat. The service is being operated through Train No. 12926 (Paschim Superfast Express) and Train No. 12904 (Golden Temple Mail).
Timely transportation is one of the biggest challenges for perishable fruits such as cherries. Keeping this in view, the Firozpur Division has ensured efficient logistics arrangements. The Parcel-SLR service reaches Vadodara and Surat in approximately 29 hours and Bandra in about 31 hours from Amritsar, helping preserve the freshness and quality of the fruit while ensuring direct access to major markets.
Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Firozpur, Sanjeev Kumar, stated that the division is committed to providing better Parcel-SLR services for cherry growers. He said that adequate Parcel-SLR capacity and other necessary resources have been arranged by the division, and uninterrupted services are being provided according to traders’ demand.
He further added that the transportation of cherries will continue throughout the season through the available SLR coaches in regular trains. This enables growers to transport their produce to markets in Bandra, Vadodara and Surat at a lower cost while ensuring timely delivery.
The fast, safe and reliable parcel service of the Firozpur Division is not only simplifying transportation but is also helping cherry growers in Jammu and Kashmir secure better returns for their produce by connecting them efficiently with major markets across the country.