Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said that there has been 5 times increase in the annual budget allocation for rail infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a fivefold rise this year.
In a written reply, he highlighted this positive shift during a Lok Sabha session on Wednesday said that surge from an average outlay of Rs 1044 crore per year from 2009 to 2014 to an impressive Rs 6003 crores in the fiscal year 2023-24.
Vaishnaw detailed that the progress is particularly visible in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, where 161 km out of the total 272 km has already been commissioned.
Notably, the Katra-Banihal section, spanning 111 km, is actively under construction, with an anticipated project cost of Rs 37,012 crore.
A standout feature of the USBRL project is the 97.42 km long tunnel on the Katra-Banihal section, set to become the longest transportation railway tunnel in India.
Highlighting the socio-economic impact, Vaishnaw mentioned the generation of over 553 lakh man-days of indirect employment, underscoring the USBRL Project’s contribution to regional development.
Additionally, he noted the improvement in passenger services, reduced travel time, and enhanced travel experience, especially in the Kashmir Valley.
Addressing safety concerns, Vaishnaw assured that the USBRL project adheres to international norms with provisions such as mechanical ventilation systems, firefighting infrastructure, and proper access roads to escape tunnels and adits.
The minister concluded by affirming the commitment to promoting rail-based tourism in the region through initiatives like the ‘Bharat Gaurav Trains’ policy, providing flexibility for theme-based tourist circuit trains.
