Kashmir marked a historic moment in goods transportation on Saturday as the first freight train reached Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir.
The arrival also marked the operational debut of the Banihal–Sangaldan–Reasi–Katra section of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
The development connects the Kashmir Valley to the Indian Railways’ freight corridor. It enables the direct movement of goods from across the country into the Valley and vice versa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off the Vande Bharat Express between Amritsar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra on 10 August.
Boost to Local Economy
Officials said the train service will lower transport costs and remove uncertainties caused by the Srinagar–Jammu highway’s frequent closures due to shooting stones, mudslides, and landslides. It will ensure year-round movement of goods, including Kashmir’s large horticultural produce such as apples.
The USBRL project spans Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, and Baramulla districts. Its construction faced extreme challenges in the rugged Himalayan terrain.
Engineers used upgraded technology for the first time in the country’s railway history to overcome complex geological problems.
Engineering Feats and Wider Benefits
The USBRL includes the world’s tallest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Reasi district and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Khud bridge. The 272-km track features 38 tunnels and several new link roads, boosting connectivity for residents along the route.
The project has created jobs and spurred economic activity. It has also benefited students, traders, horticulturists, and the tourism sector.
The service currently runs between Katra and Baramulla, with operations from Jammu to Baramulla expected to begin by year-end.
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