Srinagar, October 3:
For the first time in Jammu and Kashmir, direct rail delivery of cars to the Valley has begun. The first automobile rake carrying 116 new Maruti Suzuki vehicles arrived at the goods shed in Anantnag on Friday morning.
All these vehicles have been brought from Maruti Suzuki’s plant in Manesar (Haryana). Officials said that till now, the supply of cars to the Valley was mainly done by road from Jammu.
But it is often disrupted due to bad weather or landslides, especially during winter.
This first shipment departed from the Manesar plant’s new in-plant railway siding, which includes models including the Brezza, Dzire, WagonR, and S-Presso.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said, “The railway line is proving to be a game changer for Jammu and Kashmir. Previously, apples were shipped from Kashmir by rail; now cars are also reaching the valley.”
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Rail transport is a key part of our logistics strategy. Under the PM Gati Shakti Yojana, we have established railway sidings at our Manesar and Gujarat plants, facilitating the supply of vehicles across the country.”
This move will not only make logistics more cost-effective but also enhance the customer experience.” Experts predict that car availability in the valley will rapidly improve in the coming years.
