PM Modi terms it ‘great day’; to virtually flag off Vande Bharat Express from Amritsar to Katra today
Will boost economy, accessibility, say valley’s fruit growers
Umaisar Gull Ganie
Anantnag, Aug 09: To strengthen freight operations through railway connectivity in south Kashmir, the first-ever logistics goods train from Rupnagar, Punjab, arrived at Anantnag railway station on Saturday, carrying a consignment of cement, officials said.
An official informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Northern Railway, under its Jammu Division, has officially commenced freight operations at the station, allowing both inward and outward movement of goods.
He said the inaugural freight train was loaded with 21 BCN wagons of cement.
“The journey, spanning approximately 600 kilometres, ended at the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed on Saturday. 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,” the official said.
This development is part of the Baramulla–Srinagar–Banihal railway corridor, which falls under the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
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.
Ghulam Ahmad, an apple grower from Shopian, told KNO that the freight service will be a “game changer” for fruit growers. “Every year, we struggle to send our apples outside during peak season, especially when roads are blocked. With rail cargo now available in Anantnag, we can deliver fresh produce faster and at lower cost,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off the Vande Bharat Express train service between Amritsar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra on August 10.
‘Great day for commerce and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir! It will enhance both progress and prosperity,” the Prime Minister posted on X.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu Division, Uchit Singhal, said this will be the fifth Vande Bharat train connected to Jammu and Kashmir.
He said currently, two Vande Bharat trains are already running to Delhi, and two more were flagged off by the Prime Minister himself in June, connecting Srinagar to Katra.
This new train will further connect Jammu and Kashmir with other states, running from Amritsar to Katra, he said—(KNO)
