First Full Foodgrain Rake Reaches Anantnag, Strengthening Rail Connectivity to Kashmir

The arrival of the first full rake of foodgrain (rice) in Anantnag on January 22, 2026, marks a significant milestone in freight movement to the Kashmir Valley and highlights the growing reliability of all-weather rail connectivity to the region. In a first-of-its-kind movement, a complete rake of 42 wagons carrying 2,768 metric tonnes of rice was transported by rail to the Anantnag goods shed, following sustained coordination with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to bring down logistics costs.

Until now, foodgrains were moved mainly through mini rakes consisting of 21 wagons carrying 1,384 metric tonnes. In this instance, the full rake was successfully loaded at the Sangrur rail terminal in Punjab on January 21 and reached Anantnag within 24 hours. Despite adverse weather conditions that had disrupted unloading operations a day earlier, the rake was handled smoothly, providing a timely boost to the Valley’s foodgrain supply chain and distribution system.

This development marks an important step in strengthening the foodgrain distribution network in the Kashmir Valley. The shift from mini rakes and road-based transportation to full-capacity railway wagons is expected to significantly reduce freight and logistics costs while ensuring faster, safer and more dependable movement of essential commodities. It will also help maintain adequate buffer stocks in the region, especially during harsh weather, improving the availability of foodgrains for local households.

Lower dependence on heavy truck movement along national highways is expected to deliver environmental benefits and improve overall transport efficiency. Building on earlier successful rail movements of apples, cement and fertilisers, the addition of foodgrains to rail-based logistics is supporting sustained economic activity, resilience and long-term supply chain stability in the region.

The milestone underscores the transformative impact of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), one of independent India’s most ambitious railway engineering projects. Even as the Valley experiences snowfall and challenging winter conditions, improved rail connectivity is strengthening trade and logistics, directly benefiting farmers, traders and households by ensuring more reliable access to essential goods.