<p>New Delhi: In a significant milestone in connecting the Kashmir valley to the national freight network, the first freight train reached the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed in the Kashmir Valley from Punjab on Saturday. </p><p>“Great day for commerce and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir! It will enhance both progress and prosperity," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he lauded the arrival of the first freight train to the Kashmir Valley. </p><p>The Northern Railway ran a freight train carrying cement for the first time from Rupnagar in Punjab to Anantnag in Kashmir. </p><p>The new goods train link will enable Kashmir’s renowned products to reach markets across India and the world more efficiently, creating new business and export opportunities.</p>.Will welcome any help from US or other country to resolve Kashmir issue: Pakistan.<p>Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted a video of the freight train on X, saying that the launch of freight operations to the Valley will significantly reduce transportation costs, providing economic relief to citizens and businesses in the region.</p><p>The Northern Railway said in a press note that the train was loaded with 21 BCN wagons of cement. "The journey, spanning approximately 600 kilometres, culminated at the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed Saturday in less than 18 hours," Himanshu Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer, Northern Railway, said. </p><p>"This event marks the first-ever cement loading specifically for this facility, underscoring its readiness to support a new era of logistical and economic growth in the Kashmir region," he said. </p><p>According to Upadhyay, the cement transported on this train will be used for the construction of roads, bridges, public infrastructure, and residential housing in the valley.</p><p>The new goods train link will enable Kashmir’s renowned products to reach markets across India and the world more efficiently, creating new business and export opportunities, the railway ministry said in a statement. </p><p>This freight connectivity is expected to transform the economic landscape of the Kashmir Valley, giving a strong push to its agricultural, handicraft, and floriculture sectors.</p><p>This landmark event marks the operational debut of the newly commissioned Banihal-Sangaldan-Reasi-Katra section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.</p><p>Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project of a total length of 272 Km, was commissioned by Modi in June. Same event, the </p><p>PM also inaugurated the Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra to Srinagar, with the train service providing major relief for travellers.</p><p>The USBRL project covers the districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla of Jammu and Kashmir.</p>
<p>New Delhi: In a significant milestone in connecting the Kashmir valley to the national freight network, the first freight train reached the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed in the Kashmir Valley from Punjab on Saturday. </p><p>“Great day for commerce and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir! It will enhance both progress and prosperity," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he lauded the arrival of the first freight train to the Kashmir Valley. </p><p>The Northern Railway ran a freight train carrying cement for the first time from Rupnagar in Punjab to Anantnag in Kashmir. </p><p>The new goods train link will enable Kashmir’s renowned products to reach markets across India and the world more efficiently, creating new business and export opportunities.</p>.Will welcome any help from US or other country to resolve Kashmir issue: Pakistan.<p>Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted a video of the freight train on X, saying that the launch of freight operations to the Valley will significantly reduce transportation costs, providing economic relief to citizens and businesses in the region.</p><p>The Northern Railway said in a press note that the train was loaded with 21 BCN wagons of cement. "The journey, spanning approximately 600 kilometres, culminated at the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed Saturday in less than 18 hours," Himanshu Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer, Northern Railway, said. </p><p>"This event marks the first-ever cement loading specifically for this facility, underscoring its readiness to support a new era of logistical and economic growth in the Kashmir region," he said. </p><p>According to Upadhyay, the cement transported on this train will be used for the construction of roads, bridges, public infrastructure, and residential housing in the valley.</p><p>The new goods train link will enable Kashmir’s renowned products to reach markets across India and the world more efficiently, creating new business and export opportunities, the railway ministry said in a statement. </p><p>This freight connectivity is expected to transform the economic landscape of the Kashmir Valley, giving a strong push to its agricultural, handicraft, and floriculture sectors.</p><p>This landmark event marks the operational debut of the newly commissioned Banihal-Sangaldan-Reasi-Katra section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.</p><p>Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project of a total length of 272 Km, was commissioned by Modi in June. Same event, the </p><p>PM also inaugurated the Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra to Srinagar, with the train service providing major relief for travellers.</p><p>The USBRL project covers the districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla of Jammu and Kashmir.</p>
