Srinagar: The first-ever freight train reached the Kashmir Valley on Saturday as Northern Railway opened the Anantnag goods shed under the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project for goods movement. Officials said the train, carrying 21 BCN wagons loaded with cement, arrived from Rupnagar, Punjab, after covering nearly 600 km in less than 18 hours.

The newly commissioned Anantnag goods shed can handle both inbound and outbound freight, offering businesses in Kashmir a faster and more efficient transport option. The opening comes alongside the Valley achieving full railway connectivity from Katra to Srinagar, following the historic completion of the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River.

Operating daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., the facility will handle all goods except petroleum products. Officials said the key benefits include improved market access for Kashmiri products like horticulture, handicrafts, and fresh produce; reduced transportation costs; and enhanced logistics, particularly in the winter when road travel is often affected. The development is expected to significantly boost economic activity and strengthen Kashmir’s trade links with the rest of the country.

With inputs from PTI