Railway milestone: Kashmir linked by tracks with Indian railways network

In a landmark achievement, Kashmir is now fully connected to the Indian Railways network with the completion of ballast-less track work on the final tunnel, T-33, along the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). Union Railway
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed the completion as a “historic milestone” in a post on X, noting the successful completion of the ballast-less track work for the 3.2 km-long Tunnel T-33, which connects Katra to Reasi, located at the foothills of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
“The ballast-less track work for the 3.2 km-long Tunnel T-33, located at the foothills of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and connecting Katra to Reasi, was successfully completed Friday at 02:00 hrs”.
This completion is expected to significantly ease transportation, promote tourism, and bring remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir closer to the national mainstream, transforming the region’s connectivity landscape. The USBRL project, often regarded as an engineering marvel, has already seen significant breakthroughs, including the construction of the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River.
A senior Northern Railways official confirmed that the remaining 17 kilometers of the 272-kilometer USBRL project between Reasi and Katra will undergo an inspection next week by Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Dinesh Chand Deshwal. “The team will examine track readiness, signaling, and connectivity ahead of operations,” the official said.
Following the inspection, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the rail link in January 2025. The first direct train connecting Delhi and Srinagar will feature the third version of the Vande Bharat Express, a sleeper variant that will reduce the 800-kilometer journey to under 13 hours. Initially, the train will connect Delhi to Srinagar, with potential plans to extend the route to Baramulla in North Kashmir.
“In its initial phase, the train will connect Delhi to Srinagar, with potential plans to extend the route to Baramulla in North Kashmir. The integration of Kashmir with India’s high-speed rail network represents a major leap in bridging the geographical and economic gap between the region and the rest of the country,” he added.
The official further said that the launch of the Vande Bharat service between Delhi and Srinagar will provide a faster and more efficient transportation option.
“It is expected to boost economic growth by facilitating trade, enhancing tourism, and improving access to the Valley,” he added.
In November, Union Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh said that the rail operations between Srinagar and New Delhi will commence in January next year, with the USBRL project set to be completed by December this year.
“Whenever PM Modi’s schedule permits, he will inaugurate this historic project, this landmark project will connect Kashmir with the rest of India and drive regional development and support local industries,” he said.
Earlier in January 2024, Railway Board allotted eight coaches for a Vande Bharat Express along the Udhampur- Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).
He said that Vandhe Bharat train for Jammu and Kashmir is being designed by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai which is globally recognized as the largest producer of railway passenger coaches.
In July, a full train crossed over the Chenab River bridge between Dugga and Bakkal stations for the first time. This bridge, with a central span of 467 meters and a staggering height of 359 meters, is the world’s highest railway bridge.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Jammu visit on February 20 this year, had virtually dedicated to the nation new rail line between Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan (48 Km) and the newly electrified Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section (185.66 Km).
He had also flagged off the first electric train in the valley besides train service between Sangaldan and Baramulla stations, stating that all these projects would improve connectivity, ensure environmental sustainability and boost the overall economic development of the region.