Maruti Suzuki Becomes First Automaker to Deliver Cars to Kashmir by Rail

Auto News: Maruti Suzuki India Limited has created history by becoming the first car manufacturer company to transport vehicles by train to the Kashmir Valley. The first shipment of more than 100 cars, including models like Brezza, Dzire, WagonR, and S-Presso, arrived at the newly opened Anantnag railway terminal this week. The journey started from Maruti Suzuki’s in-plant railway siding at Manesar in Haryana and covered over 850 km to reach Anantnag. On its way, the train passed over the world’s highest railway arch bridge on the Chenab river, which was recently inaugurated as part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

A new milestone in logistics and connectivity

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw welcomed the step and said the Jammu–Srinagar rail line is a “game changer” for the region. He shared that earlier, apples from Kashmir were sent out through this railway link, and now Maruti Suzuki cars are entering the valley the same way. According to him, this rail line is changing both trade and everyday life in Jammu & Kashmir. Maruti Suzuki’s Managing Director and CEO, Hisashi Takeuchi, highlighted the importance of using railways for the company’s logistics. He said rail transport is a key part of their strategy and the Chenab bridge is an important achievement that now helps the company serve customers in Kashmir more smoothly. He also thanked the Prime Minister for driving major infrastructure changes across the nation.

Expanding green transport for the future

Under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, Maruti Suzuki already runs two in-plant railway sidings at Manesar and Gujarat, which allow direct vehicle transport from its factories to many parts of India. The company has been promoting rail transport as an eco-friendly option compared to road transport. It was also the first automaker in India to get an Automobile Freight Train Operator (AFTO) license in 2013. Since 2014-15, the company has moved over 2.6 million vehicles through Indian Railways, helping cut traffic on highways and lowering carbon emissions. The arrival of Maruti Suzuki vehicles in Kashmir through trains is not just a big achievement for the company but also shows how Indian Railways is playing a bigger role in trade, connectivity, and sustainability in the region.