Srinagar, Dec 21: In a significant boost to food security in Kashmir, the first food-grain freight train of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) reached the Anantnag Goods Terminal on Sunday, offering an all-weather supply alternative as frequent closures of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway disrupt road transport.
The train, dispatched from Ajitwal railway station in Punjab’s Firozpur division, carried 1384 metric tonnes of rice in 21 covered wagons, equivalent to about 57 truckloads, officials said.
Another 42 wagons, carrying around 2600 metric tonnes or nearly 110 truckloads, are expected to arrive soon.
FCI Divisional Manager for Kashmir, K L Mina, said rail transport would reduce both delivery time and transportation costs. “Earlier, moving food grains from Punjab took much longer and was far more expensive,” Mina said. “Rail movement saves time and resources and will help stabilise prices, especially when the highway remains closed.”
Kashmir depends heavily on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, its only all-weather road link with the rest of the country. During winter as well as rainy seasons, heavy snowfall, avalanches, landslides, and shooting stones frequently shut the highway for days, delaying supplies of food grains, fuel, and medicines. In the past, prolonged closures have forced authorities to rely on limited and costly airlifting.
Officials said rail-based transport would ease pressure on the highway and help maintain uninterrupted supplies under the Public Distribution System (PDS). “From Anantnag, the food grains will be stored at FCI godowns, including Pampore, and distributed to Srinagar, Baramulla, and other districts, including remote areas,” Mina said. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Jammu Division, Uchit Singhal, said the freight service marked a shift in logistics for Kashmir.
“Rail transportation will ensure faster, cheaper, and more reliable supplies, particularly to far-flung areas,” he said.
Residents welcomed the development, saying regular rail supplies could check price volatility.
“The alternate option would mean prices don’t rise overnight,” said Abdul Rashid, a shopkeeper in Anantnag. “If trains run regularly, markets will remain stable, and people will benefit.” Others urged authorities to increase the frequency of freight trains. “This should not remain a one-time arrangement,” said Farooq Ahmad of Baramulla. “More frequent trains will ensure food security through the winter when roads become unreliable.” Officials cautioned that railways cannot fully replace road transport but said the successful movement of food grains depicts rail’s role as a critical backup supply corridor during extreme weather.
Last week, the Army transported military equipment – tanks and artillery to Kashmir on a military special train, further indicating the expanding use of rail connectivity for logistics in the valley.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha congratulated the Indian Railways after the first-ever foodgrain freight train reached Kashmir, carrying approximately 1384 tonnes of rice. LG Sinha said this is undoubtedly a very memorable occasion and realises our long-cherished dream of connecting the Kashmir region to the national freight network.
He observed that the movement of freight trains will benefit people, enterprises, and infrastructure projects without the risk of adverse weather conditions throughout the year and ease the pressure on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. The LG expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw for making the economic progress of J&K an integral part of Bharat’s rapid growth.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated the Railways Division Jammu after the first-ever foodgrain freight train reached Kashmir. In a post on microblogging site X, Office of Chief Minister, J&K, posted, “Chief Minister congratulated @Drm_Jamm as, for the first time, a foodgrain freight train of the Food Corporation of India reached Kashmir today, with the first rice rake placed at Anantnag goods shed. The rake comprises 21 wagons carrying about 1,384 tonnes of rice for buffer stock and public distribution. The Chief Minister said that this will ensure faster transit, reduce pressure on NH-44, and ensure stronger foodgrain supply chain for the Valley.”
