In a significant development for connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Railways is advancing plans to extend the strategic Kashmir railway line. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday that crucial steps have been completed for the next phase of expansion following the successful commissioning of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).
Survey Complete, Detailed Project Reports Prepared
Minister Vaishnaw, in a written response, stated that the survey work for two key projects is now finished. The survey for the new 46-kilometre railway line from Baramulla to Uri has been completed, and its Detailed Project Report (DPR) is prepared. Additionally, the survey for the doubling of the 118-kilometre Banihal to Baramulla section is also done, with its DPR ready.
These projects represent the next logical extension of the USBRL, commonly known as the Kashmir Line. The Baramulla-Uri line will specifically serve as a direct extension of the existing network. However, the minister clarified that while the DPRs are ready, the projects are yet to receive formal sanction. The sanctioning process involves consultations with various stakeholders, including the state government, and requires necessary approvals and appraisal from bodies like NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance.
Current Operations and Benefits to Farmers
The existing Kashmir Line is already operational and bringing tangible benefits to the region. Currently, two Vande Bharat trains are running on the Katra to Srinagar section. Furthermore, six pairs of DEMU/MEMU services cater to the Qazigund-Srinagar route, and five pairs serve the Srinagar-Baramulla section.
Highlighting a major economic impact, Vaishnaw emphasised that the commissioning of the USBRL has significantly aided local farmers. The railway line has become a vital corridor for transporting Kashmir's famous apples to different markets across the country, providing a faster and more reliable alternative to road transport.
A Legacy of Engineering and Perseverance
The Kashmir Line stands as one of the most formidable engineering challenges ever undertaken by Indian Railways. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the complete line on June 6. The entire 272-km stretch was constructed at a colossal cost of Rs 43,780 crore and features an impressive 36 tunnels.
The most challenging part was the 111-km Katra-Banihal section. This stretch boasts several engineering marvels:
- India's longest operational transportation tunnel, T-50, which runs for 12.77 km.
- The world's highest railway arch bridge, soaring 359 metres above the Chenab river bed.
- The Anji Bridge, notable as India's first cable-stayed railway bridge.
The dream of connecting Kashmir by rail has a long history. It was first conceived by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1898, who approved a narrow-gauge line via Reasi in 1905. The region was later connected to the rail grid via a line to Sialkot, which was severed after Partition. The modern project gained momentum after the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government declared it a national project in 2002, culminating in its recent inauguration and the current plans for its extension towards Uri and enhanced capacity through doubling.
