Jammu, April 15, 2025 – The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project, a landmark infrastructure initiative, is set to transform connectivity and spur development in Jammu and Kashmir. With the final Katra-Sangaldan stretch, including the iconic Chenab Bridge, slated for inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 19, the 272-km rail link promises to integrate the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, fostering economic growth, tourism, and regional unity.
The USBRL project, declared a national project in 2002, spans challenging terrains across Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, and Baramulla districts. Featuring 36 tunnels totaling 119 km and nearly 1,000 bridges, including the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge, and India’s first cable-stayed Anji Khad Bridge, the project showcases engineering excellence. The Vande Bharat Express, designed for Kashmir’s harsh winters, will operate on this route, reducing travel time between Katra and Srinagar while offering modern amenities like air-conditioned coaches and automatic plug doors.
The rail link is a game-changer for Jammu and Kashmir’s connectivity, replacing weather-dependent road travel with a reliable, all-weather alternative. “It has been the dream of every Indian to have a train running to Kashmir,” said Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity, Railway Board, emphasizing its significance for religious, tourism, and economic needs. The project is expected to boost tourism by easing access to destinations like Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and Kashmir’s scenic valleys, while enhancing trade in horticulture and local industries.
Costing approximately Rs 41,119 crore, the USBRL project is poised to drive socio-economic development. It will create job opportunities, improve access to education, and connect remote areas to national markets. Security has been heightened in Reasi and other districts to ensure a smooth inauguration, reflecting the government’s commitment to safety and progress in the region.
The successful trial run of the Vande Bharat train on January 23, 2025, crossing the Chenab Bridge, marked a historic milestone. With the project’s completion, Jammu and Kashmir is set to enter a new era of infrastructure-led growth, aligning with the vision of a Viksit Bharat . For updates, visit the Indian Railways official website.