NEW DELHI: Amid snowfall and severe winter conditions in the Kashmir Valley, the first full railway rake carrying foodgrain reached Anantnag on January 22, marking an important step in strengthening rail-based supply to the region.
The rake, consisting of 42 wagons and carrying 2,768 metric tonnes of rice, was transported to the Anantnag goods shed by rail. According to a statement issued by the Union Railway Ministry, the movement was carried out in coordination with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and is expected to help reduce logistics and transportation costs.
Until now, foodgrains were transported to the Valley mainly through smaller “mini rakes” of 21 wagons, each carrying about 1,384 metric tonnes, or by road. This time, the full rake was loaded at the Sangrur rail terminal in Punjab on January 21 and reached Anantnag within 24 hours.
Railway officials said the successful movement was achieved despite difficult weather conditions, which had disrupted unloading operations a day earlier. The handling of the full rake under such circumstances is expected to significantly improve the reliability of foodgrain supplies during winter months.
The arrival of the full rake is being seen as a key step towards strengthening the foodgrain distribution system in the Kashmir Valley. Shifting from road transport and smaller rail consignments to full-capacity railway rakes is likely to ensure faster movement of essential commodities while bringing down freight and logistics costs.
Rail-based transportation will also help maintain adequate buffer stocks in the Valley, particularly during periods of heavy snowfall or highway disruptions, thereby improving foodgrain availability for local households.
The Railway Ministry said reduced dependence on heavy truck movement along national highways would also bring environmental benefits and improve overall efficiency. It added that rail logistics has already supported the movement of apples, cement and fertilisers in the region, and the addition of foodgrains will further strengthen supply chains and economic activity.
Officials said these developments highlight the growing importance of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), one of the most ambitious railway projects undertaken in independent India, which is playing a crucial role in improving connectivity, resilience and long-term supply stability in the Kashmir Valley.
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