The first full rake of foodgrain reached Anantnag on 22 January, marking a significant step in rail-based freight movement to the Kashmir Valley. For the first time, a complete rake of 42 wagons carrying 2,768 metric tonnes of rice was transported by rail to the Anantnag goods shed.
Earlier, foodgrain supplies to the region were moved through mini rakes consisting of 21 wagons with a carrying capacity of 1,384 metric tonnes. The shift to full-capacity rakes represents a notable expansion in the scale of rail freight operations to the Valley.
The rake was loaded at the Sangrur rail terminal in Punjab on 21 January and reached Anantnag within 24 hours. The movement was completed despite adverse weather conditions that had disrupted unloading activities a day earlier, demonstrating the operational resilience of rail transport during winter conditions.
The transition from road-based transport and mini rakes to full rake movement is expected to improve the efficiency and reliability of foodgrain supplies. It is also expected to support the maintenance of buffer stocks in the Valley during periods when road connectivity is affected by snowfall and challenging terrain.
Reduced reliance on heavy truck movement along national highways is likely to ease logistical pressure and improve overall efficiency. The foodgrain movement adds to earlier rail consignments of apples, cement and fertiliser, indicating a gradual broadening of rail-based freight activity in the region.
The development underlines the growing role of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link in strengthening trade and logistics in the Kashmir Valley by ensuring more dependable access to essential commodities during adverse weather conditions.
