Jammu:
In a landmark moment for the Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory, the first-ever foodgrain freight train reached the Anantnag Goods Terminal today. Carrying approximately 1,384 tonnes of rice, the train marks the formal integration of the Kashmir region with India’s national freight rail network.
Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha hailed the arrival as a “memorable occasion,” noting that it realizes a long-cherished dream of providing the Valley with all-weather, high-capacity logistics connectivity.
The freight rake, consisting of 21 BCN wagons, was dispatched from Ajitwal Railway Station in Punjab. According to Food Corporation of India (FCI) officials, this single train delivery is equivalent to roughly 57 truckloads of foodgrains.
Historically, the Valley has relied almost exclusively on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) for essential supplies. However, frequent closures due to landslides and heavy snow—especially during Chillai-Kalan—often led to supply disruptions. This new rail link ensures a steady buffer stock regardless of weather conditions.
Rail transport is expected to cut freight charges by more than half compared to road transport. By moving bulk cargo to rails, pressure on the busy national highway will significantly decrease, reducing wear and tear and traffic jams. The journey from Punjab to South Kashmir was completed in a fraction of the time it usually takes for truck convoys. Direct rail access will strengthen the regional agricultural economy and create new opportunities in the logistics sector.
LG Manoj Sinha expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw. He emphasized that this development makes the economic progress of J&K an “integral part of Bharat’s rapid growth.”
This is only the beginning. Railway officials have confirmed that another 42 wagons carrying approximately 2,600 metric tonnes of rice are scheduled to arrive in the coming days. As the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project reaches its final stages of full completion, the frequency and variety of freight—including horticultural produce like apples moving out of the Valley—are expected to scale up dramatically.
