Anantnag Railway station opened for handling goods traffic

Jammu, Aug 7: In a major push to bolster logistics sector in Jammu and Kashmir in consonance with the long pending demand of Kashmir traders, the Northern Railway has opened Anantnag Railway Station of Jammu (Railway) Division for handling goods traffic with immediate effect.

The decision is aimed at giving desired impetus, mainly to the agro-industrial sector in Kashmir, by significantly reducing transit time and logistic costs.

Station will handle both outward as well as inward goods traffic comprising all commodities except petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) through railway rakes from 6 am to 10 pm.

So far, it (handling of goods traffic) used to be dealt with, at Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan (MCTM) Railway Station in Udhampur and Bari Brahmana for onward transportation to the Valley.

“Notification for handling of goods at Anantnag has finally been issued today. This will be a major gamechanger in the logistics sector of J&K as now the traffic like foodgrain, cement, fertiliser among various other commodities which were earlier had to be dealt at MCTM Udhampur, Bari Brahmana can go to the valley directly. With this decision, Anantnag is now equipped to handle both incoming and outgoing freight, offering a new and efficient transport option for businesses across Kashmir. This is a major step towards enhancing economic activity in the Kashmir Valley,” said Uchit Singhal Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM), Jammu Railway Division of the Northern Railway, while giving a detailed account of the move.

“This marks an important milestone in the ongoing development of the Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal railway corridor, which is part of the larger Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. It will result in saving transit time and cost, thereby boosting the growth and agro-industrial progress of J&K,” Singhal added.

“The competent authority has approved the opening of Anantnag (ANT 03601041) station in the Baramulla-Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan (BRML-MCTM) section of USBRL of Jammu Division, Northern Railway for handling goods traffic with immediate effect,” the notification issued by Northern Railway in this connection on August 7, 2025, read.

“All operating and commercial rules and formalities may be adhered to. All security and safety instructions, guidelines and advisories of the Valley may be adhered to,” it has been instructed in the notification.

Enlisting benefits, Singhal has stated that the move will ensure better market access for Kashmir’s products like horticulture, handicrafts, and fresh produce.

“Improved logistics and faster delivery, especially during winters when road transport is often disrupted. Therefore, it will strengthen Kashmir’s economic ties with markets across India,” he said, while assuring that all environmental, safety, and security guidelines would be strictly followed at the station.

Pointing out that the opening of Anantnag for goods traffic also came at a time when the Valley achieved full railway connectivity from Katra to Srinagar, including the historic completion of the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab, Singhal exuded confidence that new developments would transform logistics and trade dynamics for the entire region.

Local industry bodies and residents have welcomed the move, calling it a timely and transformative step for the economic development of Kashmir.

Notably, earlier promoting goods transport as a new leverage to enhance its freight income, newly formed Jammu Division touched new milestones with its successful “cherry cargo to Mumbai” experience in May-June and transporting 46 tonnes of paper from Kathua to Assam in July end.

“Besides bolstering the finances of the railways and the state, the freight transportation move is also aimed at creating new employment opportunities for the local people,” Singhal had pointed out.

“The business class is being encouraged to promote goods transport in Jammu division and meetings are being held from time to time by the officials of the division,” he said, adding, “Promoting this goods transport will increase the income of the railways and the state and will create new employment opportunities for the local people.”

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the division, also asserted that such initiatives would increase the freight capacity of Jammu division and ensure smooth movement of goods across the country besides strengthening the infrastructure of the railways.