Get ready for scenic train journey: Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link nears completion

Dec 22, 2024

Budgam (J&K), December 22 (ANI): In a major development for the Kashmir region, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is now almost 100 percent complete, bringing residents and business owners a step closer to a long-awaited transformation. The completion of the final track work was recently announced by Union Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw, marking a historic milestone in connecting the picturesque Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country.Vaishnaw took to social media to celebrate the completion of the ballast-less track work for Tunnel T-33, a 3.2-km-long tunnel located at the foothills of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, which links Katra to Reasi. This achievement is a key part of the USBRL project, a rail network designed to offer a more efficient, safe, and scenic travel route for people to access Kashmir. The announcement has sparked widespread excitement across Kashmir, with locals expressing optimism about the positive impact this connectivity will have on the region’s economy. With the introduction of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, scheduled to operate between Srinagar and New Delhi, the semi-high-speed train will provide enhanced accessibility to the beautiful valley, making it easier for tourists and businesses alike.Beyond tourism, the completion of the rail link is expected to greatly benefit industries in the region, especially the apple industry, which has long been an important economic contributor. Farmers and traders are hopeful that the rail link will reduce transportation costs and time, ultimately providing better access to markets across the country.