Jammu, Jul 16 (KNO): Northern Railway's Jammu Division has operationalised a new Goods Shed at Pampore Railway Station, making it the second such freight facility in Kashmir after Anantnag.
According to an official statement issued by the Railways Jammu Division a copy of which lies with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Goods Shed has been made operational with immediate effect following approval from the competent authority. The facility will handle inward and outward freight bookings daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, with provision for booking half a rake.
The Railway said all commodities, except petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) and coal, can be transported through the shed while ensuring compliance with operational, commercial and environmental norms.
It said the response from the trading community was encouraging, with two freight train indents received on the first day of operations on July 15. One indent was placed from Bharatgarh Railway Station in Ambala Division for 21 BCN wagons of UltraTech Cement, while another came from Kiratpur Sahib for 21 BCN wagons carrying ACC and Ambuja Cement.
The Railway said the new facility is expected to provide major relief to fruit growers, farmers and traders in the Valley by reducing transportation costs and dependence on distant goods sheds.
It added that the shed would also generate local employment in loading, unloading and transportation, while easing pressure on the Anantnag Goods Shed and improving freight movement across the region.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu, Uchit Singhal, said the inauguration of the Pampore Goods Shed marks an important step towards strengthening trade and industry in the Kashmir Valley. He said receiving two freight indents on the first day reflects the confidence of the business community and will contribute to both regional economic growth and railway development.
The Railway administration has urged traders, industrialists and other stakeholders to make maximum use of the new freight facility—(KNO)