First goods train chugs into Kashmir
Irfan Tramboo
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Aug 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off three Vande Bharat Express trains from Bengaluru tomorrow including Amritsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra virtually while Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh will attend the function at Katra, the base camp of the holy cave shrine.
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Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will also be present during flag off ceremony at Bengaluru.
Modi will flag off 3 Vande Bharat Express trains from Bengaluru tomorrow. They include Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune.
“These high-speed trains will significantly enhance regional connectivity, reduce travel time and provide a world-class travel experience to the passengers,” an official statement issued ahead of the flag off ceremony said.
The flag off ceremony is scheduled for 11 am.
Union Minister of State in the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, who is Lok Sabha Member from Udhampur-Doda-Kathua Parliamentary constituency will join the function physically at Katra and address the gathering. Later, he will travel in the same train after its flagging off ceremony virtually by the Prime Minister from Bengaluru.
Significantly, this is going to be fifth Vande Bharat train which will run in Jammu and Kashmir. Presently, two Vande Bharat Express trains are running between New Delhi and Katra and two between Katra and Srinagar. The trains running to Srinagar from Katra will start operations from Jammu once the expansion work is completed shortly.
The Prime Minister will also flag off Yellow line of Bangalore Metro and undertake a metro ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Electronic City metro station.
At around 1 pm, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of urban connectivity projects in Bengaluru. He will also address a public function.
The Vande Bharat Express train between Katra and Amritsar will run six days a week except Tuesday.
Vande Bharat train No. 26406 will run from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Amritsar while train No. 26405 will run from Amritsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra six days a week except Tuesday.
The train No. 26406 will depart from Katra at 6:40 am and reach Amritsar at 12:20 pm, with stops at Jammu, Pathankot Cantt, Jalandhar City, Vyas etc. The same train numbered 26405 will depart from Amritsar at 4:25 pm and reach Katra at 10 pm with same stops.
People from Punjab intending to undertake pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji and those from Jammu visiting holy city of Amritsar to pay obeisance at Golden Temple will benefit from the Vande Bharat train service.
Meanwhile, making history on the tracks, the first-ever freight train—hauling 21 wagons of cement—chugged into South Kashmir’s Anantnag today after a 600-kilometre journey.
With officials and locals hailing it as the beginning of a new era of logistical and economic growth for Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as a “great day for commerce and connectivity” for the Union Territory.
”Great day for commerce and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir! It will enhance both progress and prosperity,” the PM wrote on ‘X’.
The freight train arrived at the Anantnag Goods Shed for the first time from Rupnagar in Punjab, marking a significant milestone in linking the Kashmir valley to the national freight network.
“The inaugural freight train was loaded with 21 BCN wagons of cement. The journey, spanning approximately 600 kilometres, culminated at the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed in less than 18 hours,” railway officials said.
Officials said the arrival of the freight train carrying cement will accelerate infrastructure projects and improve living standards for the people of Kashmir.
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, sharing a video of the train on ‘X’ said transportation via the railway network will reduce costs for citizens living in the Kashmir valley.
“Today (09.08.2025) the first freight train reached the newly commissioned Anantnag Goods Shed in the Kashmir valley from Punjab, marking a significant milestone in connecting the Kashmir region to the national freight network,” he wrote.
The logistics for this “groundbreaking journey” were executed with precision, officials said.
As per details, an indent was placed with Northern Railway at 23:14 hrs on August 7, 2025, with the rake placement occurring at 09:40 hrs the following day, August 8.
“Loading was completed by 18:10 hrs on August 8, 2025, with the train departing from the Gujarat Ambuja Cement Limited (GACL) facility in Rupnagar, Punjab at 18:55 hrs.”
The freight was hauled by an Electric WAG-9 locomotive—Loco No. 32177, TKD, Trip 08/09—highlighting the modern capabilities of the national railway network.
Locals in Anantnag, who gathered at the station to witness the freight train’s arrival, said the service will have a huge impact on businesses, reduce costs, and particularly benefit those involved in horticulture.
“It is a matter of happiness. We used to face issues with transportation, and now it will help a great deal—especially for horticulture produce. This is a win-win situation,” said Riyaz Ahmad, a local businessman.
In a handout, the Railways stated that the arrival of the first freight train to Kashmir marks the maiden cement loading specifically for this facility, underscoring its readiness to support a new era of logistical and economic growth in the region.
The cement transported will be used for crucial projects, including the construction of roads, bridges, public infrastructure, and residential housing in the Kashmir valley, it stated.
Authorities said the arrival of this first freight train is not just a logistical achievement but “a powerful symbol of progress and integration, paving the way for a more connected and prosperous Kashmir valley.”
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