The commissioning of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) has provided all-weather rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, significantly improving access to markets for farmers, artisans and small businesses while boosting tourism and economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
Replying to a question in the Upper House, Vaishnaw said the landmark railway project has enabled faster transportation of Kashmir’s signature products, including apples, dry fruits, pashmina shawls and handicrafts, allowing producers to reach larger national markets and generate new economic opportunities.
The minister described the USBRL as one of the most challenging railway infrastructure projects undertaken in independent India, constructed through the geologically complex Himalayan terrain. The project includes the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Reasi district and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge across the Anji Khad.
The Chenab Bridge stretches 1,315 metres, with an arch span of 467 metres and stands 359 metres above the riverbed, while the Anji Bridge is a 473-metre-long asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge supported by a 193-metre-high inverted Y-shaped pylon.
Apart from the railway line, the project has created about 215 km of roads, including tunnels and more than 320 bridges, which are now being used by local residents. The fully electrified railway line has also reduced travel time between Katra and Srinagar to around three hours, offering year-round reliable connectivity expected to provide a major boost to tourism in the region.
Highlighting future rail expansion plans, Vaishnaw said the Railways has sanctioned the Final Location Survey for a proposed 190-km Jammu/Reasi-Poonch railway line, while surveys are also underway for the Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra additional line. A Detailed Project Report has already been prepared for the proposed third railway line between Jalandhar Cantt. and Jammu Tawi.
The minister also announced that one Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) has been commissioned in Samba district to strengthen freight movement in Jammu and Kashmir. In-principle approvals have also been granted for three additional cargo terminals in Kathua, Anantnag and Jammu districts to improve logistics infrastructure and facilitate industrial and agricultural trade.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, four railway stations in Jammu and Kashmir – Budgam, Jammu Tawi, Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra – have been selected for redevelopment. Vaishnaw said major works, including station buildings, parking facilities, circulating areas, foot overbridges, waiting halls and passenger amenities, are progressing at Budgam, Jammu Tawi and Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan stations, while master planning for the Katra station redevelopment is underway.
The minister said Northern Railway has received an allocation of ₹7,944 crore over the past five financial years and the current financial year for customer amenities and station development, with expenditure of ₹5,622 crore incurred up to June 2026.
On railway safety and infrastructure, Vaishnaw said the entire broad-gauge railway network in Jammu and Kashmir has now been electrified, while all new railway projects are being constructed with electrification from the outset.
He added that Indian Railways has significantly strengthened signalling infrastructure across the Union Territory over the last five years, including the installation of electronic interlocking, complete track circuiting and Block Proving Axle Counter systems at 11 stations across Samba, Reasi, Ramban, Kathua and Jammu districts.
The minister also said Kavach, the indigenous Automatic Train Protection system, has been sanctioned for deployment over approximately 401 route kilometres in Jammu and Kashmir, covering the Kathua-Jammu Tawi, Jammu Tawi-Katra, Katra-Banihal and Banihal-Baramulla sections.
Vaishnaw informed the House that four pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains are currently serving Jammu and Kashmir, including services connecting Jammu Tawi with Srinagar, Amritsar with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, and New Delhi with Katra. The Railways has also decided to introduce a new Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Badgam Express to further improve connectivity within the Valley.
He said Jammu Tawi station is currently served by 114 train services, Udhampur by 58, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra by 46, Budgam by 19 and Srinagar by 16 train services, while the introduction of additional trains will continue based on network capacity, passenger demand, infrastructure availability and operational feasibility.
