Srinagar, Dec. 22 -- For the first time, a Food Corporation of India (FCI) foodgrain freight train reached Kashmir, an important milestone for the Himalayan valley which would often witness closure of Srinagar-Jammu national highway for traffic during bad weather days, sometimes extending for weeks in winters.

Officials said that the 21 BCN wagons containing around 1384 MT of rice departed from Ajitwal goods shed in Firozpur division of Punjab and successfully arrived at Anantnag goods terminal in South Kashmir on Sunday.

"This marks a historic day for the people of the Kashmir Valley, as the Railways and the Food Corporation of India have jointly initiated this food grain freight train service to Kashmir," said Raghvender Singh, Northe...