Indian Economy News

USBRL Provides All-Weather Connectivity to Kashmir, Opening New Market Opportunities for Farmers and Small & Medium Enterprises: Union Minister of Railways Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project has been fully commissioned, providing all-weather rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India. Spanning 272 km, the strategically significant rail corridor traverses eight districts of Jammu & Kashmir and includes engineering landmarks such as the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, and India's first cable-stayed railway bridge over Anji Khad. The project has reduced travel time between Katra and Srinagar to nearly three hours, while improving passenger mobility, tourism and logistics. Better rail connectivity is also enabling farmers, artisans and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to access larger domestic markets for products such as apples, dry fruits, pashmina shawls and handicrafts, thereby creating new economic opportunities.

To further strengthen rail infrastructure in the region, Indian Railways has commissioned a Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal (GCT) in Samba and granted in-principal approvals for additional GCTs in Kathua, Anantnag and Jammu to enhance freight handling and multimodal logistics. A 190-km Jammu/Reasi–Poonch rail line has also been sanctioned for final location survey to improve connectivity in border areas. Additionally, four railway stations in Jammu & Kashmir are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, while the region's entire broad-gauge network has been electrified. These initiatives are expected to strengthen regional connectivity, improve supply chains, support trade and tourism, and accelerate socio-economic development across Jammu & Kashmir.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.