Indian Railways draws up new plans to enhance rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir border areas

A train moves amid snowfall on the Katra-Srinagar rail section, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

• Indian Railways canceled the Sopore–Kupwara rail project due to unviability.
• DPRs prepared for Qazigund–Srinagar–Budgam doubling and Baramulla–Uri new line
• USBRL project links Kashmir Valley to Indian Railways, enhancing jobs and connectivity

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Indian Railways has prepared multiple proposals to further strengthen rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir’s border regions, even as one key project was dropped after being found infeasible.

In a statement, the Ministry of Railways said a survey for a new 34-km Sopore–Kupwara rail line, intended to extend connectivity beyond the existing Srinagar–Baramulla section—was sanctioned and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared. However, the project was later dropped after it was assessed to be unviable, news agency ANI reported.

“To further improve rail connectivity in the Border region, the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the following projects have also been prepared: Qazigund–Srinagar–Budgam doubling (118 km) and Baramulla–Uri new line (40 km),” the railway ministry said.

The Railways Ministry clarified that after a DPR is prepared, sanctioning of a project requires consultations with multiple stakeholders, including state governments, along with mandatory approvals such as appraisal by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. It added that since project approvals are a “continuous and dynamic process,” fixed timelines cannot be committed.

The update comes close on the heels of the commissioning of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, a 272-km strategic railway corridor connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the Indian Railways network. The USBRL project spans the districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla.

According to the ministry, the USBRL project has delivered significant socio-economic benefits to the region, generating over 5 crore man-days of employment. As part of associated development works, more than 215 km of approach roads were built, including a tunnel and around 320 small bridges, improving connectivity and access for local communities.

With all-weather, reliable rail connectivity now in place between the Valley and the national railway network, the government expects a major boost to tourism and economic activity in the region.

This information was shared by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

*With Agency Inputs