Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Fully Operational After 28 Years
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) |
| Total Length | 272 km |
| Start Date | 1997 |
| Completion Date | June 6, 2025 (Inauguration of the final phase: Sangaldan-Katra section) |
| Key Sections | Jammu-Udhampur (55 km), Udhampur-Katra, Anantnag-Mazhom (68 km), Mazhom-Baramulla (32 km), Quazigund-Banihal, Banihal-Sangaldan, Sangaldan-Katra |
| Key Engineering Feats | Chenab Bridge (World's highest railway bridge at 359 m), Anji Bridge (India's first cable-stayed rail bridge), Pir Panjal Tunnel (India's longest rail tunnel at 12.75 km) |
| Purpose | Provide all-weather, reliable rail connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir Valley; enhance strategic logistics; boost socio-economic integration |
| Significance | First-ever rail connectivity to remote districts of Kashmir; reduces dependency on Jammu-Srinagar highway; expected to boost tourism, trade, and employment; strengthens national unity and infrastructure |