ICC Jammu Chairman raises freight, logistics issues at Northern Railway Stakeholder Meeting

Ziraat Times News Desk

Jammu, May 25: The Jammu Chapter of the Indian Chamber of Commerce on Monday urged Northern Railway to improve freight infrastructure, rationalise logistics operations and expedite key railway projects in Jammu and Kashmir during a Business Development Unit (BDU) interaction meeting held at the Divisional Railway Office in Jammu Tawi.

The meeting was chaired by Vivek Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager of Northern Railway’s Jammu Division. Senior railway officials, including Uchit Singhal and Arish Bansal, were also present.

Representing ICC Jammu, Chairman Rahul Sahai submitted a detailed representation highlighting concerns related to freight movement, warehousing, logistics infrastructure and ease of doing business in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sahai stressed that efficient rail connectivity and modern freight infrastructure were essential for the growth of industries, MSMEs, traders and agriculture-based sectors in the region. He called for strengthening freight terminals, warehousing facilities, container handling systems and loading and unloading infrastructure in Jammu and adjoining industrial areas.

Among the major demands raised by ICC Jammu were daytime scheduling of freight rake arrivals due to labour constraints during night hours, enhancement of rake unloading time from seven hours to 24 hours and waiver of demurrage charges in cases where unloading delays occur because of operational difficulties.

He also sought development of goods sheds at Bari Brahmana, Samba and Jammu, while urging early operationalisation of the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Samba. Other issues highlighted included better wagon availability, improved last-mile connectivity, rationalisation of freight charges, digitalisation of railway freight systems and establishment of multi-modal logistics facilities.

Sahai additionally called for train stoppages at Anantnag railway station to support local businesses and MSMEs in south Kashmir.

During the interaction, Northern Railway officials gave a presentation on freight and logistics services being offered by Indian Railways, including Roll-On Roll-Off (RO-RO) services, parcel transshipment facilities, reefer containers, automobile carriers, tank wagons and specialised freight wagons.

Officials highlighted that RO-RO services help reduce transportation costs, fuel consumption, road congestion and vehicle wear and tear, while also contributing to environmental sustainability and timely delivery of goods. They also briefed participants on specialised wagons available for transportation of food grains, industrial goods, steel, liquid cargo and automobiles.

The meeting was attended by freight customers, logistics operators, consignors, consignees and representatives of major industrial organisations. Participants included Ashish Jain, Raj Dua, representatives of Container Corporation of India, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Adani Cement, among others.

Sahai appreciated Northern Railway for organising the stakeholder interaction and said regular engagement between Railways and industry stakeholders would help strengthen trade, logistics and industrial growth in Jammu and Kashmir. He also reiterated ICC Jammu’s support for initiatives aimed at promoting greener and cost-effective freight movement through rail transport.