First-ever freight train reaches Kashmir

Jammu, Aug 9: It was an epoch-making moment for Anantnag Railway Station as it witnessed the first-ever freight train, carrying cement, arriving at its goods shed on Saturday, thus mainstreaming the Valley vis-à-vis the national freight network.

The goods train reached Anantnag Railway Station Goods Siding (shed) in the Kashmir valley this morning, for the first time from Rupnagar, Punjab, marking a significant milestone.

“It was a historic development for regional connectivity. The arrival of freight trains carrying cement is set to accelerate infrastructure projects and improve living standards for the people of Kashmir. Those present there saw history in the making live,” said Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM), Jammu Railway Division of Northern Railway.

Anantnag Railway Station of Kashmir valley comes under the Jammu Division of Northern Railway.

Giving a detailed account of this historic occasion, which has enthused traders and business bodies of Kashmir, addressing many of their logistics concerns, the Northern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said, “The inaugural freight train was loaded with 21 BCN wagons of cement. The journey, spanning approximately 600 km, culminated at the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed today in less than 18 hours.”

“This event marks the first-ever cement loading specifically for this facility, underscoring its readiness to support a new era of logistical and economic growth in the Kashmir region. The cement transported on this train will be used for crucial projects, including the construction of roads, bridges, public infrastructure, and residential housing in the Kashmir Valley,” Upadhyay said.

The logistics for this groundbreaking journey, according to him, were executed with precision.

Giving hour-by-hour details, Upadhyay said that an indent was placed with Northern Railway at 11:14 pm on August 7, 2025, with the rake placement occurring at 9:40 am the following day – August 8.

“Loading was completed by 6:10 pm on August 8, 2025, with the train departing from the Gujarat Ambuja Cement Limited (GACL) facility in Rupnagar, Punjab at 6:55 pm. The freight was hauled by an Electric WAG-9 locomotive (Loco No 32177, TKD, Trip 08/09), highlighting the modern capabilities of the national railway network,” he said.

The arrival of this first freight train, Upadhyay said, was 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 buoyed traders, present there at Anantnag Goods Shed, witnessing history unfolding in front of their eyes, while speaking to the media, said, “We are elated and grateful to the Prime Minister and Railway Minister to see this maiden freight train. Earlier, fruit growers of the Valley would confront a lot of problems due to logistics and poor connectivity issues.”

“Anantnag is a business hub in the Valley. We hope that now, besides other commodities, we will be able to take our fruits and other horticulture products directly to the markets across India. This will fetch us good prices, and the people will also get fresh produce without any hassle. What we have learnt from the local dealers is that the first freight train is loaded with cement, and we will receive cement at a discounted rate. This is another heartening development for us,” they said.

The arrival of the freight train, carrying cement, was set to accelerate infrastructure projects and improve living standards for the people of Kashmir; both the railway authorities and the traders exuded confidence.

Notably, Kashmir has a range of products that have strong potential for being sent across India and to international markets and will get a boost because of the opening of goods trains to and from the Valley.

Kashmir is called the “fruit bowl” of India because of its unique climate. Among major horticulture products to benefit with the arrival of freight train will include apples, walnuts, almonds, apricots, pears, cherries, plums, grapes, hazelnuts, and mulberries (fresh and dried – exportable in processed form).

Railway authorities point out that export potential will become opportunities for the Kashmir valley as its GI-tag products (like Kashmiri Saffron, Pashmina) have high international market appeal.

“Fruits like apples, walnuts, and almonds already have established export channels – value-added products like juices, jams, and dried fruits can increase margins. Floriculture and essential oils have a niche but high-value demand in Europe, the Middle East, and Japan. Once they reach major markets of India, their export potential will get further impetus,” they said.