PM Modi Inaugurates Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link: 8 Engineering Feats That Redefine Kashmir’s Connectivity

From the world’s highest railway arch to India’s longest tunnels, the USBRL project marks a historic moment in linking Kashmir to the national rail grid — decades in the making.

Srinagar | June 6, 2025 —
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a ₹43,780 crore engineering marvel that has reshaped connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir. With this launch, Kashmir gets its first direct train connection to Delhi via the Vande Bharat Express, which will now pass through the pilgrimage town of Katra.

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Security was heightened across the region, especially in Katra and Ramban, in anticipation of the PM’s visit. Railway stations were adorned for the event, with the Udhampur station under high alert.

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8 Landmark Achievements of the USBRL Project:

1. Chenab Rail Bridge
   • World’s highest railway arch at 359 metres, 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower.
   • Spans 1.3 km, withstands winds up to 260 km/h.
   • Built at a cost of ₹1,486 crore with a lifespan of 120 years.
2. Anji Khad Bridge
   • India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, 331 metres high, 725 metres long.
   • Built in just 11 months with over 8,200 metric tonnes of steel and 96 high-tensile cables.
3. Tunnel T-50
   • India’s longest transportation tunnel at 12.77 km, between Khari and Sumber.
4. Tunnel T-80 (Pir Panjal Tunnel)
   • Second-longest in India, 11.22 km between Banihal and Qazigund.
5. Tunnel T-44
   • Third-longest railway tunnel, 11.13 km, between Sawalkote and Sangaldan.
6. Massive Tunnel Network
   • 36 main tunnels and 8 escape tunnels spanning over 186 km, a record in Indian rail infrastructure.
7. All-Weather Connectivity
   • Ice-cutters installed on Vande Bharat trains ensure year-round service despite Himalayan snowfall.
8. Advanced Engineering
   • Use of Himalayan Tunneling Method and software like Tekla to withstand seismic, snow, and landslide risks.

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A Vision Fulfilled After Decades

First conceived in the 1970s, USBRL was formally approved in 1994. Actual construction began in 2002 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Spanning 272 km, this project cuts through some of the world’s most challenging terrain.

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Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah, who inspected the Katra station with Union Minister Jitendra Singh, called the event emotional:

“This project started when I was in Class 7 or 8. Now my children are working professionals. That’s how long we’ve waited.”

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Railway Minister’s Remarks

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed the USBRL as a turning point in the integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. “It will boost trade, tourism, and mobility,” he said.

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The newly flagged-off Delhi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is expected to drastically reduce travel time, end seasonal transport isolation, and offer a safer alternative to the often-closed Srinagar-Jammu highway, especially during winter.

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Tags:

USBRL Project, PM Modi Kashmir Visit, Chenab Rail Bridge, Anji Khad Bridge, Kashmir Train, Vande Bharat Express, Jammu and Kashmir Connectivity, Indian Railways