Railways to streamline cherry transportation during peak period

Srinagar, Apr 8 (UNI) In an attempt to reduce time lag between harvesting and marketing, Railway Minister today assured cherry growers to streamline transport of 30 tonnes of cherry from Jammu to Mumbai during the oncoming peak harvest time for this fruit.

Assuring a deputation of New Kashmir Fruit Association led by Horticulture Minister Mohammmad Dilawar Mir, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav said a high level meeting of the concerned railway authorities would be convened immediately to meet the requirements of the cherry growers and traders for transportation of the cherry through railways.

Earlier, the deputation informed Mr Prasad about the difficulties being faced by the growers for cherry transportation from Jammu to Mumbai, via Amritsar, which is the main consumer market for Kashmir cherry.

Mr Dilawar Mir strongly pleaded for making special quota reservation for regular transportation of cherry from Amritsar to Mumbai in Deluxe Paschm Express and Swaraj Express with attachment of 30 tonnes capacity, effective from May 20 to July 15, 2008, the peak harvest time of the cherry.

The Minister pleaded that cherry being the perishable fruit needs immediate transportation to reduce transaction cost and make the product more competitive.

While conveying state government's thanks to the Indian Railways for helping the fruit growers of the state especially in transportation of perishable fruit products to the terminal fruit markets of the country during previous years, the Minister hoped that Indian Railways would come upto the expectations of the fruit growers community of the state in future also.

He hoped that by the timely and personal intervention of Mr Yadav, the Indian Railway would accord highest priority to transportation of perishable fruits, including cherry by earmarking the required freight capacity.

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