Indian Railways’ All-Weather Connectivity to Kashmir Valley Ensures Reliable Foodgrain Supply, Cuts Logistics Costs Amid Adverse Weather

• First-ever full rake (42 wagons / 2,768 MT) of rice delivered by rail to Anantnag goods shed on 22 January 2026, loaded from Sangrur (Punjab) rail terminal on 21 January 2026.
• Made possible by the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) — a 272 km national project through the Himalayas costing ₹43,780 crore.
• Marks operational maturity of all-weather rail connectivity to the Valley, replacing erstwhile mini-rakes (21 wagons / 1,384 MT) and reducing FCI logistics cost vis-à-vis road via NH-44 (snow-bound in winter).
• UPSC relevance: infrastructure, food security (FCI/PDS), federalism (J&K UT), Himalayan engineering, strategic connectivity.