Overview

• The inaugural freight train carrying 21 BCN wagons of cement completed its 600 km journey from Rupnagar to Anantnag in under 18 hours on August 9, marking the start of freight operations on the Banihal–Sangaldan–Reasi–Katra section of the USBRL.
• The opening of the Anantnag Goods Shed fully integrates the Kashmir rail network with India’s national freight corridor, allowing direct movement of goods into the Valley without dependence on the Srinagar-Jammu highway.
• Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the service will reduce transport costs for Valley residents, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed it as a boost for commerce and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The ₹43,780 crore USBRL spans 272 km across eight districts and includes engineering feats such as the world’s highest Chenab Bridge and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge over Anji Khad.
• Local traders and industry leaders expect the new freight link to ensure reliable year-round supplies, lower logistics expenses for horticulture and construction sectors, and drive broader socio-economic growth.