Kashmir Valley Set for Major Rail Expansion

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, Dec 05: Following the successful commissioning of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), Indian Railways has set its sights on extending rail connectivity deeper into the Kashmir Valley.

         A railway official told Kashmir Convener that the Ministry of Railways has finalized a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a new 164-kilometre railway line in the Union Territory.

He said the proposed project comprises two key segments: a new 46-km line from Baramulla to Uri and the doubling of 118 km of track between Banihal and Baramulla.

         The official stated that this initiative aims to significantly enhance rail infrastructure and accessibility in Jammu and Kashmir. He further added that with the DPR now finalized, authorities are moving to the next phase of approvals, paving the way for further expansion of rail connectivity in the region.

         Meanwhile, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Friday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated as per Kashmir Convener, “To further improve and extend rail connectivity in the Kashmir region, the survey for the Baramulla-Uri new line and the Banihal-Baramulla doubling has been completed, and the DPR has been prepared.”

         The Minister stated that project sanction is contingent upon consultations with various stakeholders, including the Jammu and Kashmir administration, as well as necessary approvals from NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. He said the sanctioning of projects is a continuous and dynamic process, and exact timelines depend upon appraisals and approvals by various agencies.

         Notably, the 272-km USBRL project, commissioned earlier this year, is termed a landmark engineering feat. It links the Kashmir Valley to the national rail network for the first time since independence. The USBRL project covers the districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, and Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir.

         Widely regarded as one of the most challenging railway projects undertaken in the country post-independence, it traverses the young Himalayas, which present geological surprises and numerous challenges. As part of this project, Indian Railways has constructed the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in the Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir.

         The iconic Chenab Bridge is 1,315 m long, with an arch span of 467 m and a height of 359 m above the riverbed. Indian Railways’ first cable-stayed bridge has also been constructed over the Anji Khad in this project. Its bridge deck is 331m above the riverbed, and the height of its main pylon is 193m.

         Meanwhile, the inaugural ride of the Vande Bharat Express between Srinagar and Katra earlier this year has also drawn praise from passengers. Many described the new service as offering “unmatched convenience,” making travel “much easier, possible, and comfortable,” while hailing it as a “great move by the government” to connect Kashmir with the rest of India.