The scenic valleys of Kashmir have long mesmerized tourists and nurtured some of the finest horticultural produce in India. Yet, beneath the breathtaking beauty lies a stark reality, Kashmir’s lifelines are fragile. Recent cloudbursts and landslides in Ramban and Udhampur exposed the vulnerability of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44). Even minor disruptions paralyze supply chains, hitting horticulturists, traders, and households alike.

For decades, trucks have been the backbone of Kashmir’s economy. Tourism and horticulture, the region’s mainstay, depend on them. Official data reveals that horticulture alone contributes over 8% to the region’s GDP, supporting more than 35 lakh livelihoods. During peak seasons, around 1,500–2,000 trucks transport apples, cherries, and other fruits across India and even to Nepal and Bangladesh. While the alternate Mughal Road exists, it is long, circuitous, and equally prone to landslides.

But there’s a new chapter in Kashmir’s story. On 10th August, nearly 78 years after India’s Independence, Kashmir welcomed its first freight train, a historic journey from Rupnagar in Punjab to Anantnag in the valley.........

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