Srinagar, August 9, 2025 – In a landmark achievement for Jammu and Kashmir’s connectivity, the first-ever freight train reached the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed in the Kashmir Valley from Rupnagar, Punjab, on Saturday, August 9, 2025. This historic event marks a significant step in integrating the Kashmir region with India’s national freight network, promising reduced transportation costs and enhanced economic growth.The freight train, loaded with 21 BCN wagons carrying approximately 1,400 tonnes of cement, covered a distance of nearly 600 kilometers in under 18 hours.
Departing from the Gujarat Ambuja Cement Limited (GACL) facility in Rupnagar, Punjab, at 6:55 PM on August 8, 2025, the train was hauled by an Electric WAG-9 locomotive, showcasing the efficiency of Indian Railways’ modern infrastructure. The cement is destined for critical infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, public infrastructure, and residential housing in the Kashmir Valley, accelerating regional development.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the milestone on X, stating, “First freight train to the Kashmir Valley: Today (9.8.2025), the first freight train reached the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed in the Kashmir Valley from Punjab, marking a significant milestone in connecting the Kashmir region to the national freight network. Transportation by railway network will reduce cost for our citizens living in Kashmir Valley.”Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the development, emphasizing its potential to boost commerce and connectivity.
The arrival of the freight train marks the operational debut of the Banihal-Sangaldan-Reasi-Katra section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, a 272-km railway line that connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India. Described as one of the most challenging railway projects undertaken post-independence, the USBRL navigates the geologically complex young Himalayas, featuring the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Reasi district.Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, highlighted the precision of the operation: “An indent was placed with Northern Railway at 11:14 PM on August 7, 2025.
The rake placement occurred at 9:40 AM on August 8, with loading completed by 6:10 PM the same day. The train reached Anantnag Goods Shed around 12 noon on Saturday, August 9.” He added that the event is “not just a logistical achievement but a powerful symbol of progress and integration, paving the way for a more connected and prosperous Kashmir Valley.”The freight connectivity is expected to revolutionize the region’s economy, particularly for the fruit and handicraft industries. Local traders, such as Khalid Sidiq, an apple dealer from Pulwama, expressed optimism: “This will be a game-changer for the fruit industry. The train will help goods reach markets across the country in a shorter time, reducing dependency on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, which often closes in winter.”
Fayaz Ahmad Malik, president of Sopore Fruit Mandi, noted that transportation costs could drop from Rs 100 to Rs 30 per box of fruit, with delivery times reduced from six days to 30 hours.The USBRL project has also contributed significantly to socio-economic development, generating over 5 crore man-days of employment and constructing over 215 km of approach roads, including tunnels and bridges. Safety features, such as mechanical ventilation systems, firefighting equipment, and 66 km of escape tunnels, ensure the project meets international standards.This milestone follows the launch of passenger services on the USBRL’s Katra-Sangaldan section in June 2025, when Prime Minister Modi flagged off Vande Bharat trains between Srinagar and Katra. The freight train’s arrival further strengthens Kashmir’s integration with India’s rail network, opening new trade avenues and fostering economic prosperity.
