In a historic move for India’s automobile and logistics sector, Maruti Suzuki India Limited has become the country’s first car manufacturer to transport vehicles to the Kashmir Valley using Indian Railways. The company’s inaugural rail consignment reached the newly operational Anantnag terminal on October 3, 2025.
The shipment, which included over 100 Maruti Suzuki vehicles such as the Brezza, Dzire, WagonR, and S-Presso, was dispatched from the automaker’s recently inaugurated Manesar in-plant railway siding in Haryana. The cargo traveled more than 850 km, crossing the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab river, a part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project commissioned earlier this year.
Leaders Hail the Milestone
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw praised the development, calling the Jammu–Srinagar railway line a game changer. “Apples from the valley are already being transported via rail. Now, Maruti Suzuki cars reaching Kashmir by train is another step towards boosting connectivity and economic growth,” he said.
Maruti Suzuki’s Managing Director & CEO Hisashi Takeuchi highlighted the strategic role of railways in the company’s supply chain. “Railway dispatches are central to our logistics strategy. With the Chenab arch bridge and USBRL project, we can now ensure faster and more efficient deliveries to customers in Kashmir,” he said.
Boost for Connectivity and Economy
The development not only enhances logistics efficiency for India’s largest automaker but also marks a new era of economic integration for Jammu & Kashmir, opening doors for smoother trade, tourism, and industrial growth.
