PM Modi to Inaugurate Historic Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link; First Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat to Be Flagged Off

Jammu and Kashmir: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the long-awaited Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) today, marking a milestone in India’s railway infrastructure and connectivity efforts in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Prime Minister will also flag off the first-ever Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, directly linking the Kashmir Valley to the national capital by rail for the first time. The high-speed train will pass through key towns including Katra, the pilgrimage base for Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, enhancing both tourism and mobility in the region.

All railway stations across the Kashmir valley have been decked up for the grand occasion, with Udhampur railway station placed on high alert. In Katra and Ramban, police conducted rigorous vehicle inspections and patrols with dog squads to ensure foolproof security.

The USBRL project, completed at an estimated cost of ₹43,780 crore, spans 272 kilometers and cuts through some of the most difficult terrain in the Himalayan region. According to an official release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the engineering marvel includes:

• 36 main tunnels spanning nearly 120 km
• 8 escape tunnels
• 943 bridges over rivers, deep gorges, and mountain slopes

Railway officials describe the USBRL as India’s most ambitious mountain railway project, aiming to not only reduce travel time but also strengthen national integration.

The flagging off of the Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat is expected to significantly boost tourism, support local economies, and provide a lifeline for residents of remote mountain districts.