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| First freight train reaches Anantnag; “great day,’ says PM Modi | | KASHMIR GETS ON TRACK | |  Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 9: In a historic boost to regional connectivity and commerce, the first freight train successfully reached Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, marking a major milestone in the integration of the Valley with the national freight network.
The freight train, carrying 21 BCN wagons of cement from Rupnagar in Punjab, arrived at the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed in less than 18 hours—covering a distance of nearly 600 kilometers. This is the first-ever cement consignment for the facility, which is now fully equipped to support the region’s growing logistical and infrastructure needs.
Celebrating the development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reposted an update shared by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, ““Great day for commerce and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir! It will enhance both progress and prosperity.”
Railway Minister Vaishnaw had earlier written, “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 region to the national freight network. Transportation via the railway network will reduce costs for our citizens living in the Kashmir Valley.”
The cement on board is expected to be used in vital infrastructure projects across the region, including roads, bridges, public utilities, and housing developments. Officials said the logistical operation was executed with military precision.
An indent was placed with Northern Railway at 23:14 hrs on August 7, followed by rake placement at 09:40 hrs the next mornin The first freight train successfully reached Anantnag marking a major milestone in the integration of Kashmir with the national freight network.
The freight train, carrying 21 BCN wagons of cement from Rupnagar in Punjab, arrived at the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed in less than 18 hours.
PM Modi reposted an update shared by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Great day for commerce and connectivity in J&K! It will enhance both progress and prosperity.”
The cement on board is expected to be used in vital infrastructure projects across the region, including roads, bridges, public utilities, and housing developments.
The station will now handle both inbound and outbound goods traffic from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, excluding petroleum products.
The station’s activation is a part of the ongoing Baramulla–Srinagar–Banihal railway corridor development, which falls under the ambitious Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
Key Advantages for Kashmir include enhancing market access for products like horticulture, handicrafts, and fresh produce, lower transportation costs for businesses and traders, and reliable logistics, especially crucial during winters when road links are often cut off.
This development coincides with the Valley achieving full railway connectivity from Katra to Srinagar, including the completion of the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River. Together, these milestones are expected to reshape trade and logistics across the region.
Railway officials have assured that all environmental, safety, and security norms will be strictly adhered to at the new facility.
Local industry leaders and residents have widely welcomed the move, calling it a transformative step that will accelerate economic growth and integration in Jammu and Kashmir. |
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