The Indian Railways is on the verge of a significant milestone as the Udhampur-Baramulla rail link project nears completion. When finished, it will connect the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country.
Work on this project is moving quickly, with more than 95 percent of the 272 km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link (USBRL) completed.
Once operational, this direct train service will cut travel time between Srinagar and Jammu from six hours to 3.5 hours, providing significant relief to travelers.
The USBRL project has economic potential as well, as it will facilitate train-based freight movement. The transportation of horticulture commodities, such as apples and other agricultural products from Jammu and Kashmir, is expected to considerably boost the local economy.
The massive USBRL project calls for complicated construction across difficult Himalayan terrain, with multiple tunnels and bridges. Northern Railways Public Relations Officer (PRO) Vinod Kumar expressed optimism that the project will be finished on time, with an opening anticipated for December 2023 or January 2024.
There are also reports that the government intends to launch a Vande Bharat Metro rail service between Jammu and Srinagar. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced plans for a Vande Bharat Express train maintenance facility in Budgam area of Central Kashmir. The Vande Bharat Metro will be deployed once the rail network is completed.
The USBRL project will span 119 kilometers and include 38 tunnels, the longest of which is T-49 at 12.75 kilometers, making it India’s longest transportation tunnel. The plan also includes 927 bridges, including the world’s highest steel arch rail bridge, the Chenab Bridge, which stands 359 meters over the Chenab River.
The Indian Railways intends to introduce three extra Vande Bharat Express trains for Jammu and Kashmir during the fiscal year 2023-24 in order to improve connectivity. The launch date, however, is yet unknown. Existing stations will be used initially, with the option of adding additional stations based on demand.
Jammu and Kashmir currently has over 36 railway stations, with important ones at Baramulla, Sopore, Hamre, and other locations contributing to the region’s expanding rail infrastructure.