In a move aimed at strengthening rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir’s border regions, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been prepared for the Qazigund-Srinagar-Budgam rail line doubling (118 km) and a new railway line from Baramulla to Uri (40 km).
In a written reply to Rajya Sabha on Friday, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said these projects are part of ongoing efforts to expand and upgrade railway infrastructure in the region. However, he clarified that final sanctioning of the projects will require consultations with multiple stakeholders, including the state government, and approvals from authorities such as NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. Given the dynamic nature of the approval process, no fixed timelines have been indicated.
The Minister also noted that a survey for a Sopore-Kupwara new railway line (34 km), proposed as an extension of the existing Srinagar-Baramulla section, had earlier been sanctioned and a DPR prepared. The project, however, was subsequently dropped after being found infeasible.
Highlighting the broader impact of railway expansion in the region, Vaishnaw pointed to the recently commissioned Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which spans 272 km and connects key districts including Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar and Baramulla.
The Minister said that the USBRL project has emerged as a major driver of socio-economic development, generating over five crore man-days of employment during its construction. In addition to rail infrastructure, the project involved the construction of more than 215 km of approach roads, including a tunnel and 320 small bridges, significantly improving local connectivity and access to remote areas.
Vaishnaw said the availability of all-weather, reliable rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the Indian Railways network is expected to provide a substantial boost to tourism, while also supporting long-term economic growth in the region.
