SRINAGAR: Kashmir has achieved a major milestone by being fully connected to the Indian Railways network. This was made possible with the completion of track work on Tunnel T-33, which is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called this a “historic milestone” in a post on social media platform X. The 3.2 km-long Tunnel T-33 connects Katra to Reasi, near the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
This new railway connection is expected to make travel easier, boost tourism, and help bring remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir closer to the rest of India. The USBRL project is considered an engineering marvel and includes the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River.
A senior official from Northern Railways said that the last 17 kilometers of the 272-kilometer USBRL project between Reasi and Katra will be inspected next week by Commissioner of Railway Safety, Dinesh Chand Deshwal. They will check if the tracks, signals, and connections are ready for operation. After this inspection, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to officially open the rail link in January 2025.
The first direct train from Delhi to Srinagar will be a Vande Bharat Express, a fast sleeper train that will make the 800-kilometer trip in less than 13 hours. Initially, it will run between Delhi and Srinagar, with plans to extend it to Baramulla in North Kashmir. This connection is seen as a big step in connecting Kashmir more closely with the rest of India, both geographically and economically.
The launch of the Vande Bharat service is expected to boost economic growth by making trade easier, attracting more tourists, and improving access to the Valley. In November, Union Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh, announced that train services between Srinagar and New Delhi would start in January next year, with the USBRL project set to finish by December this year.
In January 2024, the Railway Board allocated eight coaches for a Vande Bharat Express on the USBRL route. The train for Jammu and Kashmir is being built by Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, known worldwide for producing railway passenger coaches.
In July, a full train crossed the Chenab River bridge for the first time. This bridge is the highest railway bridge in the world, with a central span of 467 meters and a height of 359 meters. During his visit to Jammu in February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated several new rail lines and electrified sections to the nation. He also launched the first electric train in the valley, stating that these projects would improve connectivity, protect the environment, and boost the region’s economy.
