Kashmir Joins National Freight Network With First-Ever Goods Train Arriving At Anantnag

The first freight train from Rupnagar, Punjab, arrived at the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed in south Kashmir, covering nearly 600 km in less than 18 hours.

The inaugural journey carried 21 BCN wagons of cement, marking a milestone in connecting Kashmir to the national freight network, The New Indian Express reported.

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Javed Ahmed Tenga welcomed the development, saying it would ensure timely, cheaper delivery of horticulture produce and reduce dependence on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, which often faces closures due to weather and landslides.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the event on X as a “great day for commerce and connectivity” that would enhance progress and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shopian Fruits Growers and Dealers Association president Mohammad Ashraf Wani said the train could save Kashmiri apples from rotting in stranded trucks, provided it connects directly to fruit markets across India.

Northern Railways spokesperson Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said the cement will be used for roads, bridges, public infrastructure, and housing in the Valley, calling the train’s arrival a “symbol of progress and integration” for a more connected and prosperous Kashmir.

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