The recent flagging off of two specially designed Vande Bharat trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar by the Honourable Prime Minister on June 6, 2025, marks a monumental achievement for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This direct rail link to the Kashmir Valley is poised to be a transformative catalyst, promising far-reaching impacts on economic development, inter-regional trade, and tourism, fostering a closer, more integrated relationship with the rest of India. This historic milestone culminates decades of perseverance in engineering and infrastructure development.
The operationalisation of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, originally approved in March 1995, represents a triumph of engineering over formidable terrain. Declared a national project in 2002, the 272-kilometre track, built at an approximate cost of ₹43,780 crore, weaves through 36 tunnels and crosses 943 bridges, effectively reducing the travel time between Katra and Srinagar to a mere three hours. This engineering marvel includes the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River, rising 359 metres, and the nation’s longest transport tunnel, spanning 12.77 kilometres in Ramban district, showcasing India’s prowess in sustainable infrastructure development.
The introduction of the Vande Bharat trains on this route signifies a paradigm shift in accessibility for the Valley. These modern trains will operate even during deep winter, ensuring year-round, all-weather connectivity, a crucial factor that was historically hampered by unpredictable road closures. The planned extension of the service to Jammu Tawi will further integrate Kashmir into the national rail network, facilitating direct travel from virtually any part of the country. This enhanced connectivity is critical for establishing equitable access to opportunities and services for all citizens, promoting a more gender-neutral and inclusive society.
The economic ramifications of the USBRL are expected to be profound. The new rail link will drastically reduce the cost and time involved in transporting Kashmir’s agricultural produce and handicrafts, such as apples, dry fruits, and pashmina shawls, to markets across the country. Conversely, the cost of essential goods being transported into the Valley is also anticipated to decrease significantly. This logistical efficiency is set to bolster local industries, empower farmers, and provide a stable supply chain that transcends the seasonal vulnerabilities of road-based transport, thereby fostering sustainable economic growth and reducing waste due to spoilage.
Beyond commerce, the human impact is immense. The previous reliance on a single, often unreliable, highway subjected patients, students, and travellers to considerable hardships, including exorbitant airfares and delays in critical supplies like life-saving drugs. The all-weather rail connectivity will mitigate these challenges, offering reliable and affordable travel options that open up new educational and career prospects, reduce social isolation, and facilitate cultural exchange. The immediate popularity of the Vande Bharat services, with tickets booked for weeks in advance, underscores the public’s eagerness for this transformative link, promising a future of enhanced opportunities and seamless integration for the people of Kashmir.
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