Jammu and Kashmir’s challenging terrain is steadily yielding to a new era of connectivity. The Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link has connected the valley to India’s rail network. Its centrepiece, the Chenab Bridge, stands as the world’s highest railway arch bridge. Expanded Vande Bharat services are improving passenger mobility. New freight terminals are carrying Kashmiri apples, saffron and handicrafts to national markets, opening opportunities for farmers and businesses. On land, the Sonamarg and Zojila tunnels promise year-round passage into Ladakh. In the air, Srinagar’s expanding airport is complemented by nascent hubs at Udhampur and Kishtwar. Together, these advances are drawing Kashmir’s produce, trade and tourism firmly into the national mainstream.
A Region Reconnected
Jammu and Kashmir’s mountainous terrain has long made connectivity a major infrastructure challenge. Over the years, this has been steadily changing, with a wave of infrastructure investment reshaping how the region connects with the rest of the country. The Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is a major part of this expansion. It is one of the most challenging railway line projects undertaken in the country post-independence. Today it stands as one of India’s engineering marvels, linking the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country by rail.
The USBRL project has also been accompanied by sustained expansion of roads, tunnels and airport infrastructure. The network now includes new train services such as the Vande Bharat Express. It also includes major road corridors and tunnels. Airport capacity is being expanded at Srinagar, with regional airports planned under UDAN, increasing passenger movement. Multimodal cargo terminals and enhanced freight services support goods movement across the region. These developments have progressively expanded all-weather connectivity infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir.
Railways: Connecting Kashmir to the National Rail Network
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) National Project
The USBRL project was inaugurated in June 2025, improving connectivity infrastructure in the Himalayan region. Built at a cost of ₹43,780 crore, the USBRL project covers the districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla of Jammu and Kashmir.
The project stretches 272 kilometres through the rugged Himalayas; it includes 36 tunnels that span 119 kilometres and 943 bridges. Designed to overcome the region’s challenging terrain, it connects remote areas with the national rail network. It is opening new opportunities for mobility, trade and tourism. As part of the USBRL project, over 215 km (including a tunnel and 320 bridges) of roads have been constructed, which are useful for communities. Additionally, the USBRL project is fully electrified both in tunnels and in open stretches.
The USBRL project has made substantial socio-economic contributions to the region, with employment generation being a significant aspect of its impact. The project has generated more than 5 crore man-days of employment.
Vande Bharat Express
The Vande Bharat Express in Jammu and Kashmir first began operations in June 2025, between Katra and Srinagar. To further enhance railway connectivity, the Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express service was extended to Jammu Tawi Railway Station in April 2026.
The distance from Jammu to Srinagar is now covered in less than five hours. The trains have been augmented from 8 to 20 coaches. They are specially designed to operate in extreme weather conditions. The trains are equipped with advanced operating systems and electronics suited for high-altitude conditions.
Supporting this route is a snow removal train that moves ahead to clear the tracks, ensuring year-round services. Seismic dampers have also been installed to absorb tremors, offering a safer and smoother journey in this high-risk zone.
Engineering Marvels under the USBRL Project
The USBRL project includes several major engineering achievements, including the Chenab Rail Bridge, Anji Khad Bridge and Tunnel T50.
Chenab Rail Bridge
Under the USBRL project, the world’s highest railway arch bridge has been built over the Chenab River in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The Chenab bridge, inaugurated in June 2025, is 1,315 m long. It has an arch span of 467 metres and rises 359 metres above the riverbed, making it higher than the Eiffel Tower. The bridge is designed to withstand strong seismic and wind forces. With Vande Bharat services running over the bridge, connectivity has significantly improved between Jammu and Kashmir.
