JAMMU, April 16 -- The Northern Railway will begin a regular parcel train service between Delhi and Kashmir's Budgam from April 17, offering a faster and cheaper alternative for fruit growers and handicraft exporters who have long complained of erratic road transport.

A senior railway officer told News Agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) the service officially called the Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS) - will run on a trial basis till May 31 between Adarsh Nagar in New Delhi and Budgam in central Kashmir. If occupancy holds, officials said, it will be made permanent.

He said train 00462 will leave Budgam at 6.15 am and arrive at Adarsh Nagar at 5 am the next day, covering the distance in 23-24 hours. Return train 00461 ...