Kashmir receives its first-ever foodgrain freight train, boosting supply, connectivity and regional logistics capacity.
In a historic logistical breakthrough, Kashmir today marked its formal integration with India’s national freight rail map as the region received its first-ever foodgrain freight train. The train, operated by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), pulled into the Anantnag Goods Terminal on December 21, signalling a transformative moment in the Valley’s supply chain and logistics infrastructure.
The freight rake, comprising 21 BCN waggons, carried approximately 1,384 tonnes of foodgrains, dispatched from Ajitwal Railway Station in Punjab, before making its landmark arrival in Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hailed the achievement as “a very memorable occasion,” adding that the development fulfilled a long-standing dream of linking the region to India’s national freight network.
Officials described the new service as a major step toward ensuring reliable, cost-effective, and faster delivery of essential food supplies to Kashmir, including its remote and far-flung areas. They noted that rail-based bulk transport would significantly reduce costs, cut delivery time, and improve buffer stock movement.
The commissioning of freight operations at the Anantnag Goods Terminal is expected to:
- boost local markets,
- strengthen the regional agricultural economy, and
- create new opportunities across logistics and allied sectors.
Authorities anticipate that this breakthrough will open the doors for expanded freight operations, enabling smoother movement of foodgrains, essentials and future commercial cargo, dramatically improving Kashmir’s connectivity with the rest of India.
This milestone marks a major leap forward not only in cargo delivery but in the region’s journey toward stronger economic integration and long-term supply resilience.
Source: The ET
