In a historic milestone for Jammu & Kashmir’s connectivity, Northern Railway has successfully delivered its first-ever automobile freight train to the Kashmir Valley — a move that is being hailed as a game-changer in the region’s logistics and auto sector.
The train carried 116 brand-new Maruti Suzuki vehicles — including popular models like Brezza, Dzire, WagonR, and S-Presso — from the Gati Shakti Terminal in Manesar, Haryana to the newly operational Anantnag goods shed in South Kashmir. The 850-kilometre journey took approximately 45 hours, offering a faster, safer, and more efficient alternative to the traditional road transport system.
For years, car dealerships in Kashmir depended on road convoys, where vehicles were driven from Jammu to the valley, racking up hundreds of kilometers even before reaching customers. Not only did this affect the vehicle’s condition, but it also robbed buyers of the joy of driving a brand-new, untouched car off the lot.
Thanks to this new rail route, that’s now a thing of the past.
“It’s not just about transport. It’s about trust, pride, and giving customers what they truly deserve — a car that’s never been handled before,” shared a local car dealer in Srinagar.
The initiative also reduces traffic congestion on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, particularly benefiting the environment and safety. More importantly, it signals Kashmir’s growing integration with the national supply chain and freight corridors, paving the way for economic growth, better services, and modern infrastructure in the region.
This breakthrough follows earlier deliveries at the Anantnag goods shed, which has recently received consignments of cement, army winter stocks, fruits, and other vital goods. With this momentum, Anantnag is fast becoming a strategic freight hub for the Valley.
