𝐔𝐒𝐁𝐑𝐋 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐊𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐢𝐫’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡

Srinagar – The long-awaited completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) marks a landmark moment in India’s infrastructure history, bringing to life a dream first conceived more than a century ago. Once considered nearly impossible due to Kashmir’s rugged terrain and extreme climate, the project now stands as a symbol of connectivity, development, and national integration in the region.

The vision dates back to 1892, when Maharaja Pratap Singh imagined a railway linking Kashmir to the rest of India—an idea later supported by the British. However, technical and logistical challenges stalled progress for decades. It wasn’t until 1994-95 that the idea was formally revived, and in 2002, the USBRL was declared a National Project, setting the wheels of change in motion.

Since then, key milestones have steadily brought the ambitious plan closer to reality. The Jammu-Udhampur section opened in 2005, followed by several others, including the Banihal-Sangaldan stretch launched in February 2024. These links have breathed new life into previously isolated regions of Jammu & Kashmir.

Beyond its engineering significance, the project has delivered tangible benefits to the people. Over 14,000 jobs were created during the construction phase, with 65 percent filled by local residents. The Indian Railways also offered employment to 804 families affected by land loss. In total, the initiative generated more than 525 lakh man-days of work, cultivating a skilled workforce that now contributes to infrastructure projects nationwide.

The USBRL has also reshaped access and opportunity across Kashmir. Around 215 kilometers of approach roads now connect 70 remote villages—home to approximately 1.5 lakh people—to essential services, markets, and educational institutions. What were once remote hamlets reached only by treacherous footpaths are now part of the larger economic and social fabric.

Tourism, too, is poised to benefit. The rail network provides easier access to major pilgrimage sites like Amarnath, Hazratbal, and Charar-e-Sharif, potentially boosting footfall. Local producers—especially those dealing in saffron, apples, and traditional crafts—are now better positioned to reach both national and international markets.

Strategically, the USBRL strengthens national security by ensuring faster movement of troops and equipment. Its full electrification supports India’s climate goals by cutting carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transport.

As the USBRL reaches its final stages, it does more than connect distant points on a map. It promises a new era of unity, growth, and improved living standards for the people of Jammu & Kashmir—long regarded as the crown of India, but for too long, separated from its heart.