Anantnag, January 24, 2026 (PIB):
Indian Railways’ all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley has achieved a major milestone by ensuring reliable foodgrain supply amid adverse weather conditions while significantly reducing transportation costs. In a first-of-its-kind development, a full freight rake carrying rice reached Anantnag on January 22, 2026.
The consignment comprised 42 wagons loaded with 2,768 metric tonnes of rice, transported to the Anantnag goods shed after sustained coordination with the Food Corporation of India (FCI). This marks a significant shift in freight operations in the Valley and underscores the growing robustness of year-round rail connectivity to the region.
Earlier, rail operations were limited to smaller freight movements of 21 wagons, carrying about 1,384 metric tonnes of foodgrains per trip. In contrast, the full rake was successfully loaded at Sangrur railway terminal in Punjab on January 21 and reached Anantnag within 24 hours. Despite disruptions caused by inclement weather a day earlier, the loading and transportation were completed successfully, strengthening the Valley’s foodgrain supply and distribution network.
The development is seen as a crucial step towards reinforcing food security in the Kashmir Valley. The transition from smaller freight trains and road-based transport to full-capacity rail rakes is expected to bring substantial reductions in overall logistics and freight costs, while enabling faster and more dependable movement of essential commodities. This will also help maintain adequate buffer stocks in the region, particularly during harsh weather conditions, improving foodgrain availability for local households.
