Srinagar, Sept. 16 -- J&K lieutenant governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Monday flagged off the first dedicated parcel train from Budgam to New Delhi's Adarsh Nagar. The aim is to provide a cheaper and reliable mode of transportation for perishable goods like fruits to terminal markets of the country, officials said.

The parcel train service will be operational on all days and is suitable for all parcel commodities, especially fruit.

"Every day 23 to 24 tonnes of apples and other perishable goods will be transported from here. It will significantly reduce transit time and increase income opportunities for thousands of farmers and boost the agricultural economy of the region," the lieutenant governor said after flagging of the train service. Th...