Srinagar, March 13, 2025 – The Indian Railways has initiated surveys for multiple new railway lines in Jammu and Kashmir, aiming to enhance connectivity across the region. The proposed projects include new lines connecting Jammu to Poonch, Baramulla to Uri, and Anantnag to Pahalgam, alongside plans to explore the doubling of the existing Banihal-Baramulla railway line. These developments were reported by News18 on March 12, 2025, highlighting the Ministry of Railways’ efforts to expand infrastructure in the Union Territory.
The surveys mark a significant step toward improving transportation links in Jammu and Kashmir, a region where challenging terrain and strategic importance have long influenced infrastructure planning. The proposed Jammu-Poonch line, spanning approximately 223 km via Akhnoor and Rajouri, has already undergone a feasibility survey, with an estimated cost of Rs 22,771 crore. However, concerns over low traffic projections have stalled its immediate progress, according to a statement from the Railway Ministry in the Lok Sabha.
Meanwhile, the Baramulla-Uri (46 km) and Anantnag-Pahalgam (78 km) lines are among four new routes under consideration, alongside a 37 km Sopore-Kupwara line and a 28 km Avantipore-Shopian connection. These projects aim to link remote areas with the broader railway network, fostering economic growth and accessibility. The doubling of the 118 km Banihal-Baramulla line, a critical corridor in the Kashmir Valley, is also being prioritized to increase capacity and reliability, particularly given its role within the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) framework.
The USBRL project, nearing completion after decades of effort, has already transformed rail connectivity in the region. Spanning 272 km, it includes the recently operational Katra-Banihal section, featuring India’s longest transportation tunnel (12.77 km) and the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River. The Ministry has emphasised the geological challenges of the young Himalayas, noting that 87% of the Katra-Banihal section consists of tunnels.
The ongoing surveys and the doubling initiative underscore the Railway Ministry’s commitment to enhancing connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, a region poised for economic and tourism growth following the USBRL’s completion.