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last mo.

First FCI Foodgrain Train Reaches Kashmir, Connecting Valley to National Freight Rail

Officials say rail delivery will cut costs, easing highway dependence.

For the first time, a Food Corporation of India (FCI) foodgrain freight train reached Kashmir, an important milestone for the Himalayan valley which would often witness closure of Srinagar-Jammu national highway for traffic during bad weather days, sometimes extending for weeks in winters. (HT Photo)
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Overview

  • A Food Corporation of India rake carrying about 1,384 tonnes of rice in 21 BCN wagons arrived at the Anantnag Goods Terminal on December 21 after departing from Ajitwal in Punjab’s Firozpur division.
  • Northern Railway and FCI called it the first bulk foodgrain movement by rail into south Kashmir, marking formal integration with the national freight network.
  • Authorities said 42 additional wagons with roughly 2,600 metric tonnes of foodgrains are expected in the coming days.
  • FCI’s KL Mina said the 21 wagons replace an estimated 55–57 truck trips and that freight charges from Punjab to Kashmir will drop by more than half.
  • Officials plan to scale regular foodgrain services across the Valley, building on the Anantnag terminal’s August 9 inauguration and earlier cement and automobile freight runs.