India connects Kashmir Valley to national Indian Railways network Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla railway line, officially opened the project 30 years after its initial approval.
Prime Minister Modi's Inauguration and Integration Message
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, inaugurated two Vande Bharat electric trains on June 6, 2025, highlighting the importance of the route in integrating the northern regions of India. The line represents the culmination of an engineering and planning process that has been going on for many years.
The World's Tallest Railway Bridge and Its Engineering Marvels
The Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla railway line contains many engineering marvels:
Bridge over Chenab River: The line is on the Chenab River A record-breaking arch bridge measuring 359 metres high and 1.315 metres long This structure was designed to withstand earthquakes of magnitude 8 and winds of up to 74 meters per second.
Anji River Bridge: A cable-stayed bridge was constructed over the Anji River, a tributary of the Chenab River.
Long Tunnel: In the Ramban region India's longest railway tunnel at 12,77 km was built, which was recorded as an impressive engineering feat.
The final cost of the project, initially estimated at $303 million To 5,3 billion dollars reached. In total 36 tunnels and 943 bridges The project has become one of the most complex railway engineering works in the country.
Improvement of Transport Connectivity with Kashmir
With the new line, travel time between Katra and Srinagar is now just 3 hours, almost twice as fast as travelling by bus. This allows residents to reach other parts of the country more efficiently.
This project aims to strengthen economic and social ties between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, enhancing regional resilience and improving the quality of life of local communities.
