Vikram Ditya Sharma/Ferozepur,
Punjab, known as the country’s “food bowl,” continues to play a pivotal role in ensuring food security across India, with large-scale production of wheat and paddy not only meeting the state’s own needs but also catering to the requirements of several other states. In this supply chain, the role of Indian Railways remains crucial, facilitating the safe, swift and systematic transportation of foodgrains from mandis and warehouses to distant regions of the country.
While divulging details, DRM Sanjeev Kumar said that Ferozepur Division has emerged as a key contributor in this effort, dispatching substantial quantities of foodgrains through freight trains, ensuring both time and cost efficiency. “During April 2026, the Food Corporation of India supplied six rakes of rice from stations including Phagwara, Moga, Jagraon and Banga to Anantnag in Kashmir Valley, generating a revenue of approximately Rs 1.39 crore for the division”, said DRM.
The DRM said that given the geographical challenges of the Kashmir Valley, where limited cultivable land makes it difficult to meet year-round foodgrain demand through local production, such supplies play a vital role in ensuring consistent availability of essential commodities. Transportation through railways enables bulk movement of rice in a cost-effective, secure and timely manner, ultimately benefiting consumers with stable and affordable prices.
