Beyond any doubt, the steps taken by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making Jammu and Kashmir a paradise again are noteworthy and laudable. The day the Prime Minister Modi has taken charge of the country in 2014, the political, social, and fiscal scenario of the region has seen many changes with things becoming better and better, each passing day. Every single step taken by the Modi Government has helped the region in providing better avenues to its residents with peace restoration being the first priority, and the quest is still on because new things are being added in the list to give more and more to the people of J&K.
In the same context, a freight train has arrived at the Anantnag goods shed in South Kashmir from Rupnagar in Punjab carrying loads of cement thus marking a significant milestone in integrating the Valley with the national freight network. The inauguration of a freight train service to the Valley should be seen as the new beginning of a new economic chapter with many sectors especially horticulture getting a special boost.
With enhanced connectivity and reduced logistics costs, this new rail service will soon become the favourite alternative for businesses of all kinds. By offering a faster, more reliable, and cost-effective mode of transporting goods, it will make the region more attractive to investors. Industry will benefit from better access to raw materials and wider markets for their products. For decades, the students in J&K were taught that this region lagged in creating industries because bringing raw material and ferrying the final product out of J&K was a tedious task. With the start of this freight service, the time has come to change the syllabus in schools because from now on bringing raw material and carrying finished goods to the country’s markets has become so easy because trains are now ready to shoulder the responsibility.
Moreover, the development of freight train services will stimulate employment. From railway operations and maintenance to warehousing, loading facilities, and auxiliary services, thousands of direct and indirect jobs shall be created, helping uplift local communities. Freight trains are significantly more fuel-efficient than trucks and can carry much larger volumes, reducing road congestion and lowering carbon emissions besides having an advantage of their year-round availability as roads in J&K are messy especially during snow season and monsoon. By investing in this infrastructure the government has ensured that Kashmir moves towards securing economic resilience without losing anymore time.
