Jammu, 31 May (H.S.): The first-ever parcel van coach loaded with cherries on Saturday left from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station to Mumbai.

A senior railways official here said that after the formation of Jammu Division, under the guidance of Divisional Railway Manager of Jammu Division Vivek Kumar and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal, a unique initiative has been taken by the Railways, Fruit Producers Associations and Horticulture Department of Jammu and Kashmir by loading cherries in the first parcel van from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Bandra Terminus.

This day will be counted as a historic day in the Jammu Division of the Northern Railway, he said.

He added that the train, which goes from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Bandra Terminus, will transport 24 tonnes of cherry fruit from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Bandra Terminus in less time than road transport, within about 30 hours.

The Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Jammu Division said that after a lot of discussions with the fruit growers’ associations and horticulture department of Jammu Kashmir, it has been possible that the trader has given priority to rail transport instead of road transport.

“After this success, Jammu Division has two more indents for loading of cherries, one from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and one from Jammu. Which will be loaded in parcel vans in the coming days and transported to their destination stations,” Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said.

He said, “This is a good beginning for the railways, fruit growers associations and horticulture department. Due to which the economy of Jammu Kashmir region will also get strengthened.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar