New Delhi, Jan 24: On Thursday, the first full rake of foodgrain (rice) reached Anantnag, marking a major milestone in freight transportation to Kashmir and showcasing the strength of all-weather rail connectivity to the region.
An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that in a first-of-its-kind achievement, a complete rake comprising 42 wagons carrying 2768 metric tonnes of rice was transported to the Anantnag goods shed by rail, following sustained coordination with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to reduce logistics costs.
Earlier, only mini rakes comprising 21 wagons carrying 1384 metric tonnes of foodgrain were moved by rail.
However, this time the full rake was successfully loaded from the Sangrur rail terminal in Punjab on January 21 and transported to Anantnag within 24 hours.
Despite adverse weather conditions that had disrupted unloading activities a day earlier, the rake was successfully handled, providing a significant boost to the foodgrain supply chain and distribution network in Kashmir.
The milestone marks an important beginning in strengthening the foodgrain distribution network in Kashmir.
The transition from mini rakes and road-based transportation to full-capacity railway wagons is expected to significantly reduce overall logistics and freight costs while ensuring faster and more reliable movement of essential commodities.
It would help maintain adequate buffer stocks in Kashmir, particularly during adverse weather conditions, and improve the availability of foodgrains for local households.
Reduced reliance on heavy truck traffic along national highways would also contribute to environmental benefits and improved efficiency.
Building on the successful movement of apples, cement, fertiliser, and now foodgrain, the rail-based logistics is supporting sustained economic activity, resilience, and long-term supply chain stability in the region.
The developments underline the transformative impact of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), one of the most ambitious railway engineering projects in independent India.
Even as Kashmir experiences snowfall and challenging winter conditions, improved rail connectivity is strengthening trade and logistics, directly benefiting farmers, traders, and households by ensuring more dependable access to essential goods.
