Freight on Track

The scenic valleys of Kashmir have long mesmerized tourists and nurtured some of the finest horticultural produce in India. Yet, beneath the breathtaking beauty lies a stark reality, Kashmir’s lifelines are fragile. Recent cloudbursts and landslides in Ramban and Udhampur exposed the vulnerability of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44). Even minor disruptions paralyze supply chains, hitting horticulturists, traders, and households alike.

For decades, trucks have been the backbone of Kashmir’s economy. Tourism and horticulture, the region’s mainstay, depend on them. Official data reveals that horticulture alone contributes over 8% to the region’s GDP, supporting more than 35 lakh livelihoods. During peak seasons, around 1,500–2,000 trucks transport apples, cherries, and other fruits across India and even to Nepal and Bangladesh. While the alternate Mughal Road exists, it is long, circuitous, and equally prone to landslides.

But there’s a new chapter in Kashmir’s story. On 10th August, nearly 78 years after India’s Independence, Kashmir welcomed its first freight train, a historic journey from Rupnagar in Punjab to Anantnag in the valley. Northern Railways hailed it as a milestone in logistics and economic growth. Unlike trucks, freight trains can carry heavy cargo over long distances efficiently and safely, revolutionizing the supply chain.

The benefits are tangible and transformative. Reducing the reliance on trucks will ease congestion on NH44, lower road accidents, J&K ranks second in India for road fatalities per 10,000 vehicles and significantly cut carbon emissions. This contributes directly to India’s climate action goals, aligning with the five nectar elements of sustainable development (Panchamrit).

Freight trains are a boon for Kashmir’s horticulture and handicrafts. Apples, cherries, and other perishable fruits will reach markets faster, minimizing wastage. Transportation costs are expected to drop, potentially saving producers and consumers around ₹50 per kilogram of fruit. Handicrafts, carpets, shawls, papier-mâché, can now be transported more safely and cost-effectively, opening new markets and boosting local incomes.

The ripple effects extend beyond economics. Freight trains can link rural Kashmir with industrial hubs, empowering farmers, artisans, and small traders, while creating direct and indirect employment in logistics and supply chains. By bringing connectivity to remote areas, the initiative ensures that development is equitable, broad-based, and sustainable, not just limited to urban elites.

Enhanced mobility also strengthens essential supplies, social integration, and upward economic mobility in a region where high unemployment and limited connectivity have historically hindered growth.

No transformation comes without hurdles. Constructing railway lines through the Pir Panjal range required monumental engineering feats, tunneling through T-50, India’s longest transport tunnel (12.77 km), and building the iconic Chenab Bridge. These projects have inevitably impacted ecology, altering hydrology, habitats, and landscapes.

Natural disasters remain a risk. Landslides, cloudbursts, and seismic activity could disrupt rail infrastructure, just as they threaten highways. Financial sustainability is another concern. The 272 km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project cost $5.18 billion, and high maintenance expenses could challenge year-round profitability, especially given the seasonal nature of horticulture. Yet, with careful planning and incremental growth, freight trains can achieve long-term viability.

For Kashmir’s fruit growers, connectivity is key. Asia’s second-largest fruit mandi at Sopore awaits integration with the rail network. Current operations from Budgam station are a start, but repositioning or extending services to Sopore could provide first-mile connectivity, ensuring farmers, traders, and consumers fully benefit. Early signs are promising, cab fares between Jammu and Srinagar are already declining, and freight train operations are expected to similarly energize fruit markets.

Kashmir’s freight train is more than a logistics solution; it is a lifeline. It promises safer roads, greener transport, reduced costs, and inclusive growth. It is a bridge connecting mountains and minds, farmers and markets, tradition and modernity. The journey has begun, but its full promise will unfold as frequency increases, connectivity improves, and the valley’s economy rides the rails toward a brighter, sustainable future.

Nasir Farooq Khan,

Ph.D. Student.

Prof. Ravij Seth,

Professor of Practice