In a significant step towards strengthening logistics in the Union Territory, the Indian Army has operated its first-ever dedicated freight train service to Kashmir. The train carried critical winter supplies for forward units and returned with Kashmiri apples, creating a new lifeline for both soldiers and local farmers.
A New Chapter in Army Logistics
The train, running on the recently completed Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), transported nearly 750 tonnes of Advance Winter Stocking (AWS) material from BD Bari in Jammu to Anantnag. These essential provisions will be stocked at high-altitude locations where accessibility becomes nearly impossible once heavy snow sets in.
Boost for Apple Growers
On its way back, the same train carried truckloads of Kashmiri apples to mainland markets. This step comes at a time when apple growers in the Valley are struggling, as the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway has faced repeated closures due to landslides and rains, leaving tons of produce stranded. By using railways for evacuation, the Army has provided a much-needed market link to farmers who feared major losses this season.
Civil-Military Integration in Action
Officials highlighted that this dual-use logistics model will benefit both the defence forces and the civilian population. While the Army gains secure and timely winter stocking, the farming community receives dependable access to buyers outside the region. The initiative is also being viewed as a template for future operations, reducing dependency on vulnerable road routes and ensuring economic stability for locals.
Strategic & Humanitarian Impact
The operation demonstrates how infrastructure projects like the USBRL can serve broader national interests, beyond just military mobility. By combining logistics with community welfare, the initiative marks a turning point in how defence resources can be leveraged to support citizens during times of crisis.
