Udhampur-Baramulla rail line ready; Centre calls it milestone

A significant milestone has been achieved with the completion of the final track work on the prestigious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country. The Ministry of Railways announced the development on Friday.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the update on X, calling it a “historic milestone.” He stated, “Final track work on the Udhampur - Srinagar - Baramulla Rail Link is complete.”

He further revealed that the ballast-less track work for the 3.2 km-long tunnel T-33, located at the foothills of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and connecting Katra to Reasi, was successfully completed early on Friday at 2 am.

Railway officials highlighted that advanced ballast-less track technology, employed in the tunnel, enhances the track’s stability and safety.

The 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project was originally sanctioned in 1994-95. In July, the Ministry informed the Lok Sabha that 255 km of track had been completed. At the time, work on the remaining 17-km Katra-Reasi section was ongoing. The total anticipated cost of the project is Rs 41,000 crore, of which Rs 38,931 crore had been spent as of March 2024.

Described by the Ministry as “the most difficult new railway line project undertaken in the country post-independence,” the rail link traverses the challenging terrain of the young Himalayas, known for their unpredictable geology. Notably, the project includes the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river in Reasi district.

With the track now complete, railways will need to secure safety and security clearances before commencing operations. “The Commission of Railway Safety will conduct a crucial survey of the track. Once the CRS grants safety clearance, the Railways will decide on the trial and launch of train operations,” a senior Delhi-based railway official said.

The inspection is expected in the first week of January. “If everything goes as planned and all clearances are obtained, train services could begin in the weeks that follow,” the official added.

Currently, rail services operate between Sangaldan in Jammu’s Ramban district and Baramulla in Kashmir. The track between Sangaldan and Reasi is also ready for train operations. With the completion of the 17-km Reasi-Katra section, the rail service from Udhampur to Baramulla is set to become a reality.

Officials have indicated that the Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will eventually run on this route, significantly reducing travel time between Srinagar and the national capital.