Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The expansion of rail freight services into Central Kashmir reached a significant milestone on Friday with the formal inauguration of a newly constructed goods shed at Pampore railway station in Pulwama district, followed immediately by the arrival of the first freight train carrying cement. This development marks a substantial progression in Kashmir Valley’s transport and logistics infrastructure, transforming Pampore into the second major rail freight hub in the region following the earlier establishment of similar services at Anantnag.
The ceremony was presided over by Chief Area Manager Kapil Sharma, accompanied by senior railway officials, representatives from the business and trading community, and local civic leaders, all recognizing the strategic importance of this expansion for Kashmir’s economic development. The inaugural freight train, laden with cement, arrived at Pampore station and was formally received by Sharma along with railway officials and traders, signifying the beginning of sustained freight handling operations at this vital junction. Speaking to media representatives, Chief Area Manager Sharma characterized the inauguration as a landmark achievement in strengthening the Kashmir Valley’s comprehensive freight transportation network. He explained that the new facility would facilitate the efficient transportation of cement and other essential commodities, while simultaneously reducing logistics costs, ensuring faster delivery timelines, and catalyzing increased commercial activity throughout Central Kashmir.
Members of the trading and business community expressed widespread enthusiasm for the development, calling it a long-awaited intervention that had been anticipated for several years. They emphasized that rail-based freight services at Pampore would streamline regional supply chains, substantially reduce transportation expenses, guarantee timely availability of essential goods at competitive rates, and strengthen the commercial ecosystem across the region. The trading community further predicted that the goods shed would become a critical infrastructure asset that would strengthen freight connectivity, encourage commercial enterprise, and materially contribute to the economic development and prosperity of Pampore and surrounding areas, while marking the beginning of a new phase in cargo transportation infrastructure for Central Kashmir.
