Indian Railways has achieved another important milestone as the Kashmir Valley received its first-ever rake of automobiles, marking a significant step towards improving connectivity and boosting economic opportunities in the region. On 03 October 2025, the train carrying over 100 vehicles arrived at the Anantnag Goods Terminal in the Valley. The rake had originated from Manesar in Haryana and crossed the iconic Chenab Arch Bridge – the highest railway bridge in the world – before reaching its destination.
This achievement is the direct outcome of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year. The project has finally connected the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country by rail, ending decades of isolation and making it part of the national railway grid in the true sense.
With USBRL in place, the Vande Bharat Express reached the Valley for the first time, giving people a modern and faster travel experience. Soon after, on 15th September 2025, Indian Railways operationalised dedicated parcel train services for apple growers in the Valley. A daily time-tabled service was launched between Badgam and Delhi, ensuring that apples from Kashmir reached the wholesale markets of the capital at the most favourable trading hours. This has strengthened the income of farmers, reduced dependence on road transport, and lowered logistics costs.
From completion of the USBRL, to the launch of apple parcel trains, and now the delivery of the first automobile rake to Anantnag, Indian Railways has opened a new chapter in the story of the Kashmir Valley. Each of these steps is strengthening the economy, creating jobs, and improving lives.