First freight train reaches Anantnag from Punjab, set to boost Kashmir industry

First freight train reaches Anantnag from Punjab. It is set to boost Kashmir horticulture and other sectors. In a landmark development for Kashmir’s trade and logistics sector, the first ever freight train reached Anantnag district in south Kashmir from Rupnagar, Punjab marking a major milestone in integrating the valley with India’s national freight network. The inaugural train, carrying 21 BCN wagons of cement completed its nearly 600-kilometre journey in under 18 hours arriving at the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed, officials confirmed. “This is just a logistical achievement but a powerful symbol of progress and integration paving the way for a more connected and prosperous Kashmir,” said Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer, Northern Railways. 

The arrival of the freight train is being widely hailed by the Valley’s business community, particularly the horticulture sector, which has long relied on the often disrupted Srinagar-Jammu national highway for transportation. “The freight train has come at the right time and will help in the timely delivery of horticulture produce,” said Javed Ahmed Tenga, President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “It will reduce dependence on the highway, lower transport costs and significantly boost the horticulture and other industrial sector of Kashmir,” he added. 

Traders say the new service will bring stability to the supply chain especially during winter and rainy seasons when landslides frequently cut off road access. Mohammad Ashraf Wani, President of the Shopian Fruits Growers and Dealers Association, also welcomed the development, calling it “good news” for growers. “Kashmiri apples will now reach markets across India more promptly and at a lower cost,” Wani said. He, however, urged authorities to ensure that freight trains are linked directly to mandir nationwide.