Railways runs first fuel train to Kashmir Valley via USBRL
Indian Railways on Friday completed its first-ever trial run of a fuel-laden freight train carrying BTPN bogie petrol/diesel tankers into the Kashmir Valley via the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) route.
For decades, the Kashmir Valley has depended heavily on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) for essential supplies, including fuel.
After the launch of train services to the Kashmir Valley, fuel trains were held back due to safety concerns, particularly the route’s long tunnels and fire risks. After extensive safety assessments, the first trial has now been completed successfully.
The rail-based supply of petrol and diesel is expected to deliver faster, safer and more reliable fuel transportation, and cut logistics costs. Indian Railways has been transporting fresh fruit, particularly apples, cherries and other horticultural produce, to markets outside Kashmir via dedicated parcel and cargo trains, helping growers avoid losses during highway closures.
In recent months, the Kashmir valley has also witnessed the arrival of cement-laden freight trains, Food Corporation of India food-grain rakes, fertiliser consignments, automobile deliveries (including the first Maruti Suzuki vehicles by rail), and even Indian Army winter supplies.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inspected damaged stretches of the National Highway and assessed repair works following landslides and road damage caused by last week’s heavy rainfall.
Highlighting the twin challenges of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and Kashmir’s peak fruit season, Abdullah said the administration was ensuring smooth movement of essential supplies and horticultural produce. “Fruit-laden trucks are being given priority so that growers do not suffer losses. Petroleum tankers from Jammu are also being prioritised to ensure there is no shortage of essential commodities,” he said.
Addressing reporters in Ramban, the Chief Minister said uninterrupted restoration of NH-44 remains the Government’s priority as it is the Valley’s only all-weather road link.
“There is no alternative to this highway. I travelled via the Rajouri-Poonch route through Peer Ki Gali and Buffliaz two days ago. The condition of that stretch is far worse than this,” Abdullah said, indicating that the Mughal Road cannot currently serve as a dependable substitute.
He said the damage on NH-44 was confined to a few vulnerable stretches and that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), traffic police and the district administration were working round the clock to restore normal traffic whenever weather-related disruptions occur.
