Saturday, October 04, 2025
By Kamal Swami
Maruti Suzuki Transports Cars To Kashmir Via Train
The situation of Kashmir during the last two decades is not hidden from anyone, this has greatly influenced the economic condition of the state. But now the situation is changing, and people are moving to Kashmir, and investors are finding opportunities to extend their business to this heaven on earth. In a historical move, the country's leading carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, has commenced vehicle transportation to Kashmir via Indian Railways, becoming the first automobile manufacturer to achieve this milestone. According to reports, the Indo-Japanese carmaker sent 100 vehicles—including the Brezza, Dzire, WagonR, and S-Presso—from the company’s Manesar plant in Haryana to the newly inaugurated Anantnag railway terminal in Jammu & Kashmir. The 850-km journey marks a significant step in improving connectivity and efficiency in vehicle logistics.
Although rail transport has long been a preferred dispatch method in other regions, sending vehicles by train to Kashmir represents a strategic breakthrough for the auto sector. The train traversed the world’s highest railway arch bridge, built over the Chenab River—part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, inaugurated earlier this year.
Highlighting the importance of this milestone, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, said, “In recent times, apples from the valley have been transported using the Jammu & Kashmir rail link. Now, Maruti Suzuki cars will be transported to the Kashmir valley by rail. The Jammu–Srinagar railway line is a game changer for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.”
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India, expressed gratitude toward the government for the transformative infrastructure projects. He said, “Railway dispatches are central to our logistics strategy. The world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River enables seamless and efficient connectivity to the Kashmir valley, allowing us to better serve our customers in the region.”
At present, Maruti Suzuki has two in-plant railway sidings at its Manesar and Gujarat manufacturing facilities, emphasising its commitment to green and sustainable logistics. The company was also the first automaker to obtain the Automobile Freight Train Operator (AFTO) licence in 2013. Since FY2015, the carmaker has dispatched over 2.6 million vehicles through Indian Railways, significantly reducing carbon emissions and enhancing delivery efficiency.
This step marks the beginning of a new era for rail-based vehicle transportation in India and underscores the growing synergy between the automotive and railway sectors in promoting sustainable growth.
