Indian Railways: Kashmir receives its first freight train carrying industrial salt from Gujarat

“This marks a new milestone in connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country through reliable and cost-effective rail transport. This industrial salt is used in tanning, pulp soap, and sometimes brick kiln industries,” Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu Division said in a statement.

The move will ensure a continuous supply of essential commodities to the Valley, reduce travel time, and reduce logistics costs. This will also reduce the region’s dependence on road transport, especially during adverse weather conditions, when road connectivity is often affected.

“The arrival of this salt consignment is expected to pave the way for more such freight traffic in the future, further enhancing trade links between Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir,” Singhal noted.

Goods train to Kashmir valley

In the recent past, the railways has made significant progress in freight transportation in the Kashmir Valley. The first shipment of apples from Kashmir was transported by train to Delhi and from there to various locations across India, providing local producers with a faster and more economical way to reach national markets.

Similarly, Maruti vehicles and other goods have been transported to the Valley by train, reflecting the growing role of the railways in facilitating trade and industry in the region.