Jammu

The Food Corporation of India’s first foodgrain freight train from Punjab is set to arrive at the newly commissioned south Kashmir goods terminal on Sunday, marking an important milestone in improving the Valley’s logistics and supply infrastructure, railway officials said.

The freight train, carrying foodgrains for the FCI, was flagged off from Ajitwal Railway Station in the Firozpur division and is en route to the Anantnag Goods Terminal under the Jammu Division of Northern Railway. Officials said the train is expected to reach its destination on December 21.

The rake is transporting around 1,384 tonnes of foodgrains loaded in 21 BCN wagons, they added.

The Anantnag Goods Terminal, located in south Kashmir, was inaugurated on August 9 and represents a major step towards integrating the region with India’s national freight rail network. Railway authorities said the terminal has significantly enhanced the movement of goods to and from the Valley.

During the initial phase of operations, the terminal handled its first 21-wagon cement rake from Rupnagar in Punjab. Since then, multiple consignments including industrial goods, raw materials, vehicles and other mixed freight have been transported between Anantnag and goods sheds across various railway divisions.

Officials highlighted that the arrival of the first foodgrain train will play a crucial role in ensuring a steady and reliable supply of essential commodities to remote areas of Kashmir.

“Rail-based transportation of foodgrains is both cost-effective and time-efficient, which will benefit farmers as well as consumers,” said Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal. He added that the initiative would help strengthen local markets, generate employment opportunities and support the agricultural economy.

Singhal said FCI aims to enhance food security and manage buffer stocks more efficiently by using rail transport, ensuring timely availability of foodgrains to the general public.

He described the development as a historic achievement, stating that it would prove to be a milestone in meeting Kashmir’s foodgrain requirements and contribute significantly towards making the region more self-reliant in food supply.

“This reflects our commitment to railway modernisation and the overall development of the Valley,” he said.

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Singhal further noted that the railways and FCI plan to expand freight services in the future by operating additional foodgrain trains to other parts of Kashmir, a move expected to transform logistics and strengthen the supply chain across the region.