First Freight Train Reaches Kashmir Valley, Promises Lower Costs, Better Connectivity
In a landmark moment for Jammu and Kashmir's connectivity, the first freight train rolled into the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed on Saturday, arriving from Punjab. This development marks a major step in integrating the Kashmir Valley with India's national freight network.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted a video of the freight train on X, saying that the launch of freight operations to the Valley will significantly reduce transportation costs, providing economic relief to citizens and businesses in the region.
'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 Kashmir region to the national freight network. – Transportation by the railway network will reduce the cost for our citizens living in the Kashmir valley," Vaishnaw posted on X.
First freight train to the Kashmir valley:– Today (9.8.2025) first freight train reached newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed in the Kashmir Valley from Punjab, marking a significant milestone in connecting the Kashmir region to the national freight network.– Transportation… pic.twitter.com/UBlUFQJb0P — Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) August 9, 2025
This landmark event marks the operational debut of the newly commissioned Banihal-Sangaldan-Reasi-Katra section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
This milestone seamlessly connects the Kashmir rail network to the Indian Railways freight corridor, allowing goods from across the country to be transported directly into the Valley.
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project of a total length of 272 Km has been recently commissioned. USBRL project covers the districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla of Jammu and Kashmir.
The USBRL project is one of the most difficult new railway line projects undertaken in the country post-independence. The terrain passes through the young Himalayas, which are full of geological surprises and numerous problems. In this project, the Railway has made the world's highest Railway Bridge over the Chenab River in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The iconic Chenab Bridge is 1315 m long, having an arch span of 467 m and a height of 359 m above the river bed. Indian Railways' first cable-stayed bridge has been constructed over the Anji Khad in this project. Its bridge deck is 331m above the river bed level, and the height of its Main pylon is 193m.
(With inputs from ANI)
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