New Delhi, April 30 -- Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said nearly 2 crore kilograms of apples have been transported from the Kashmir Valley to markets across the country through the railway network, underlining the growing impact of rail connectivity on the region's economy.

The Minister made the remarks while flagging off the extended Vande Bharat Express service linking Srinagar directly with Jammu Tawi, marking the first seamless passenger rail connection between the two regions.

Describing the development as a historic milestone, Vaishnaw said that passengers earlier had to change trains at Katra, but the new direct service now allows uninterrupted travel, making journeys faster and more convenient. He noted th...