In a historic development for regional connectivity, a freight train successfully reached Anantnag Goods Shed in the Kashmir Valley on Saturday for the first time from Rupnagar, Punjab, marking a significant milestone in connecting the Kashmir region to the national freight network. The freight train carried cement and as per official sources it was loaded with 21 BCN wagons of cement. The journey, spanning approximately 600 kilometers, culminated at the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed in less than 18 hours. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has lauded the arrival of the first freight train to the Kashmir Valley, marking a significant milestone in connecting the region to the national freight network. Responding to a post by the Union Minister for Railways, Communications and Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Prime Minister said that the development will enhance both progress and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister posted on X: “Great day for commerce and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir! It will enhance both progress and prosperity.”
In modern world, surface communication is vital for progress and development. Kashmir Valley has all along been suffering on this front. Given the fragility of Srinagar-Jammu highway, travelling to Jammu or other parts of the country had all along been a nightmare particularly for students and small traders who study or do business in different parts of the country. Though the highway has been upgraded of late, still there are some bad patches which are yet to be taken care of.
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In this backdrop having an all-weather railway link is what is going to prove a game changer. The railway track is an engineering marvel. Take, for instance, Chenab Bridge, located between the remote villages of Kauri and Bakkal, it rises 359 metres above the Chenab River, 35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower, and spans 1,315 metres in length. The bridge is designed to withstand winds of up to 260 km per hour and seismic activity, the bridge has a projected lifespan of 120 years and has been built at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore. The USBRL project constructed at the cost of around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.
The arrival of the freight train has doubled the hopes of those involved with fruit business as such trains will revolutionize the horticulture sector. Horticulture is the main economic activity in Kashmir. Apple, Cherry, Strawberry, plums, apricot are produced here in abondance. This sector has suffered a lot due to transportation issues and at times, given the road blockade, fruits with less shelf life would rot before reaching the intended Mandis. With the start of freight train, the fruit growers would reach different cities of the country well in time with their produce.
