Kashmir Now Connected to National Rail Freight Network

• The first freight train arrived in the Kashmir Valley on Saturday, completing a 600 km journey from Rupnagar, Punjab, in less than 18 hours.
• The train, loaded with 21 wagons of cement, arrived at the newly-commissioned Anantnag goods shed, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
• The new rail connectivity is expected to significantly boost the local economy by providing better market access for Kashmiri products and lowering transportation costs.

GG News Bureau
Anantnag, 10th Aug: The first-ever freight train has successfully arrived in the Kashmir Valley, marking a significant milestone in the Northern Railway’s Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. On Saturday, a train with 21 wagons of cement reached the newly-commissioned goods shed at Anantnag, having traveled approximately 600 km from Rupnagar, Punjab, in under 18 hours.

The arrival of the train was met with a celebratory response, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posting on X to praise the development. Officials highlighted that the goods shed, which will operate daily from 6 am to 10 pm, is a major step towards integrating the Kashmir region into the national freight network and is expected to enhance economic activity.

The new rail link is particularly significant for its potential to provide a more efficient and cost-effective transport option for local businesses, especially for products like horticulture, handicrafts, and fresh produce. The service is also expected to be a critical lifeline during the winter season when road transport is frequently disrupted, ensuring a steady supply of goods to the Valley.

While the new connectivity has been widely welcomed, some local transport associations have voiced concerns that the move could negatively impact the livelihoods of thousands of truckers who have long served as the primary link between the Valley and the rest of the country.

The development follows the recent completion of the entire rail connectivity from Katra to Srinagar, including the historic Chenab River bridge, which is the world’s highest railway arch bridge.