A full freight train has reached Anantnag, securing Kashmir’s food supply chain and cutting costs despite winter snow.
In a landmark achievement for regional logistics, the first full freight train carrying 2,768 metric tonnes of rice reached Anantnag on 22 January 2026. This delivery, consisting of 42 wagons, marks a significant shift from the previous use of 21-wagon mini rakes, which carried 1,384 metric tonnes.
Loaded at the Sangrur terminal in Punjab on 21 January 2026, the consignment completed its journey in under 24 hours. This all-weather rail link, part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link project, ensures a stable food supply chain even during heavy snowfall. By coordinating with the Food Corporation of India, Indian Railways has successfully reduced freight costs and the environmental impact associated with heavy road traffic.
This infrastructure development provides the Kashmir Valley with a reliable method for maintaining buffer stocks of essential commodities during adverse weather.
SOURCE – PIB
