Kashmir Impulse Desk
New Delhi, Aug 7
The landmark rail link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country is beginning to reshape trade, tourism and regional connectivity, with the Centre on Thursday saying the all-weather railway has opened new market opportunities for farmers, artisans, and small businesses while unveiling plans for additional rail infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told parliament that the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), one of India’s most challenging infrastructure projects, had provided year-round connectivity to Kashmir after decades of construction through the geologically fragile Himalayas.
The railway, commissioned earlier this year, traverses eight districts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, and Baramulla.
“The project has facilitated transportation of raw materials and finished goods, supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises,” Vaishnaw said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, adding that Kashmir’s apples, dry fruits, pashmina shawls, and handicrafts were now reaching wider domestic markets.
The ministry said improved rail access was expected to diversify economic opportunities for local communities while reducing travel time between Katra and Srinagar to about 3 hours, a significant improvement over previous road journeys that were frequently disrupted by landslides and adverse weather.
The USBRL project includes engineering landmarks such as the Chenab railway bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, rising 359 metres above the riverbed, and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge across the Anji Khad.
The electrified corridor also involved the construction of around 215 km of approach roads, tunnels, and bridges that are now being used by residents.
The railway ministry said improved connectivity was expected to boost tourism, one of Jammu and Kashmir’s key economic sectors, by providing reliable all-weather access to the Valley.
Beyond the flagship rail corridor, the government announced fresh surveys for a proposed 190-km Jammu-Reasi-Poonch railway line aimed at improving connectivity in the border districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Surveys are also underway for an additional railway line between Jammu and Katra, while a detailed project report has been prepared for a third line between Jalandhar Cantonment and Jammu Tawi.
The ministry cautioned that timelines for these projects would depend on consultations with multiple stakeholders, including the Jammu and Kashmir administration, and approvals from central agencies.
To strengthen freight movement, the government said one Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal had been commissioned in Samba district, while in-principle approvals had been granted for similar cargo terminals in Kathua, Jammu, and Anantnag districts. Officials said the terminals were expected to improve logistics for agriculture and manufacturing by linking producers to national supply chains.
The ministry also highlighted progress under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, under which Budgam, Jammu Tawi, Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra stations are being redeveloped with upgraded passenger amenities, expanded station buildings and improved transport integration.
At Jammu Tawi station, work on a second station building, additional platforms, parking facilities, and electrical infrastructure has been completed, while construction of foot overbridges and an air concourse is underway.
Budgam station has completed improvements to parking and approach roads, with work continuing on a wider foot overbridge and new waiting lounges.
The railway ministry said the entire broad-gauge rail network in Jammu and Kashmir had now been electrified, while signalling systems, electronic interlocking and track-circuiting had been upgraded at 11 stations across five districts over the past five years.
India’s indigenous train protection system, Kavach, has also been sanctioned for about 401 route km across the Kathua-Jammu, Jammu-Katra, Katra-Banihal and Banihal-Baramulla sections to enhance operational safety.
The government said four pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains now connect Jammu and Kashmir with destinations including Srinagar, Amritsar, and New Delhi.
It has also approved a new Katra-Budgam Express service and extended three long-distance trains to Udhampur to improve regional connectivity.
According to the ministry, Jammu Tawi station is currently served by 114 train services, Udhampur by 58, Katra by 46, Budgam by 19, and Srinagar by 16.
Officials said railway modernisation in J&K would continue alongside road overbridge construction, station redevelopment and cargo infrastructure expansion, although execution timelines would depend on land acquisition, statutory clearances, utility relocation and weather conditions in the region.
