Srinagar I March 16, 2025 – The Indian Railways has embarked on an ambitious plan to expand its network in Jammu & Kashmir, undertaking five significant surveys aimed at enhancing rail connectivity in the region. These surveys include four new railway lines and the doubling of an existing critical section, as announced by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a recent statement to the Lok Sabha.
The proposed new railway lines are:
- Baramulla-Uri (46 km) – Connecting the border town of Uri to the existing rail network at Baramulla in North Kashmir.
- Sopore-Kupwara (37 km) – Linking Sopore to Kupwara, a strategically important district near the Line of Control.
- Anantnag-Pahalgam (78 km) – Extending rail access from Anantnag to the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam in South Kashmir.
- Avantipore-Shopian (28 km) – Connecting Avantipore to Shopian, boosting connectivity in the southern part of the Kashmir Valley.
In addition to these new lines, a survey has been launched for the doubling of the Banihal-Baramulla section (118 km), a vital stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. This doubling aims to increase capacity and improve operational efficiency on one of the busiest rail corridors in the region, which connects the Jammu region to the Kashmir Valley.
The announcement comes as part of the government’s broader vision to integrate Jammu & Kashmir more seamlessly with the national railway grid. Responding to a question raised by Anantnag-Rajouri MP Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister Vaishnaw emphasised the strategic and economic importance of these projects. “These surveys reflect our commitment to enhancing connectivity in border areas and promoting tourism and trade,” he stated.
The USBRL project, spanning 272 km and fully completed in recent months, has already transformed travel between Udhampur, Srinagar, and Baramulla. The new surveys signal further expansion, though concerns have been raised about ecological impacts and the acquisition of fertile agricultural land, particularly for routes like Sopore-Kupwara and Avantipore-Shopian. Local stakeholders have urged authorities to address these issues during the planning phase.
Meanwhile, other proposed rail projects in J&K, such as the Jammu-Poonch line and the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh line, have been stalled. The government cited feasibility concerns for the former and high costs coupled with low demand for the latter as reasons for dropping those plans.
The surveys for the five new initiatives are currently underway, with the doubling of the Banihal-Baramulla line identified as a priority. Indian Railways officials have indicated that detailed project reports will follow the completion of these surveys, paving the way for future construction approvals. As of now, no specific timeline for implementation has been disclosed.
This development is expected to bolster infrastructure in J&K, supporting both economic growth and national security objectives in the region.