Srinagar is set to witness a historic transformation with the launch of the 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a massive infrastructure achievement poised to redefine the region’s economic and social trajectory.
With the inauguration of the final stretch this week, the Kashmir Valley is now directly connected to Delhi via the high-speed Vande Bharat Express, offering all-weather access and reducing the travel time to just 13 hours.The flagship ₹43,780 crore project executed through some of the most difficult terrain in the Himalayas comprises 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, including the world’s highest railway arch bridge across the Chenab River. Its completion marks a critical milestone in Indian Railways’ ambitions to ensure seamless integration of the northernmost region with the rest of the country.
Business leaders, traders, and tourism operators have welcomed the development as a gamechanger. With the first-ever Vande Bharat Express connecting Srinagar to the capital through a multi-modal link via Katra, optimism is running high across the region’s horticulture, tourism, and handicraft sectors. The semi-high-speed train, designed to offer world-class comfort, will operate with six scheduled halts, enhancing regional accessibility and reshaping mobility in the Himalayan state.
For Kashmir’s horticulture sector, which contributes approximately 8 percent to Jammu and Kashmir’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), the railway brings a crucial logistical advantage. Fruit growers, particularly those dealing in apples, cherries, and saffron, now have a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to road transport. “This is a turning point for us. Perishable items can now reach distant markets faster and fresher,” said Malik Adil, a wholesale fruit trader from Srinagar.
Tourism, too, is expected to benefit from the enhanced access. Local travel operators are banking on a surge in footfall, especially to destinations like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg. Gazi Latief, a tourist guide from Budgam, described the rail link as “a long-awaited lifeline” that could revitalise Kashmir’s travel economy, which has seen multiple disruptions over the past few years.Beyond economic factors, the USBRL project represents a leap in sustainable infrastructure planning. Train-based mobility provides a lower-carbon alternative to road and air transport, aligning with broader goals of reducing emissions and promoting eco-conscious development in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Local business chambers have already called for a seamless direct Vande Bharat service between Delhi and Srinagar without mandatory train changes in Katra. “Now that the physical infrastructure is in place, we must focus on operational efficiency and better connectivity. A direct service will boost freight and passenger traffic alike,” said Omar Tibetbakal, a Kashmir-based entrepreneur.Officials from the Jammu and Kashmir administration have emphasised the long-term significance of the project. Besides improved logistics, they expect the rail line to open up new employment avenues in transport, logistics, hospitality, and agro-processing. “It’s not just a train line, it’s a corridor for socio-economic inclusion,” a senior government official noted.
The journey of building this line was far from smooth. In addition to dealing with harsh terrain and unpredictable weather, the project also faced delays due to security concerns, including the Pahalgam terror attack in April. Yet, the completion of USBRL stands today as a testament to engineering ambition and political will.
As the Valley gets ready to welcome its first full-scale rail services this Eid, the sentiment is one of cautious optimism. The rail line may not solve all of Kashmir’s long-standing challenges overnight, but it certainly lays down the tracks for a more connected, equitable, and sustainable future.
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