272-km project Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, which started in 1997, lasted almost 28 years to become functional. Its first 55 km long section between Jammú and Udhampur was completed in April 2005 | Photo Credit: PTI
272-km project Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, which started in 1997, lasted almost 28 years to become functional. Its first 55 km long part between Jammú and Udhampur was completed in April 2005.
According to Northern Railways, the whole project was completed and operated in multiple stages, with the last one on Friday (June 7, 2025) inaugurated with Prime Minister Narendra Modim.
After the opening of the Jammu-Naphampura section, the then UPA government focused on the Kashmir section and in October 2008 operated an 68 km long railway connection Anantnag-Mazhom.
“Then came a 32 km long Mazhom – Baramulla Rail Link, where the train services began in February 2009. By 2009, the locals used the train route since the last point of the Usbrl project, ie Baramulla to Anantnag,” said North Railway officer.
He added: “Since the work was carried out at the same time on other sections, Railways was able to expand the train service from Anantnag to Quazigund towards Jammu to the side by the end of 2009.” The railways reached another important milestone when in June 2013 the train services from Quazigund to Banihal further expanded, which included the construction of the PIR tunnel Pirjal with 11.215 km long.
“Almost a year later, in July 2014, the Udhampur-Cathurian line was in operation,” the clerk said.
Connectivity of Banihal to Katra
According to the Railway Source, “When the government Modi came to power, the railway services were operated from Baramully to Banihal on the Kashmir side and Katra on Jammu on the other side. Missing connections – Banihal with Katra – had to become functional to bring Kashmir to the country’s railway network.” “The Government Modi has completed Banihal’s connectivity to Katra in two phases. First, banned to Sangaldan in February 2024 and then Sangaldan to Katra 6 June 2025, was made and finished missing,” he added.
Video | Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir: Vande Bharat Express, which had previously labeled PM Modi, will cross the Chenab bridge – the highest railway bridge in the world.#Jamutizmanmir#Chenabrailbridge
(Full video available on PTI videos – https://t.co/n147Tvrpg7) pic.twitter.com/r3j7mroaeu
– Press TRUST INDIA (@PTI_NEWS) 6th June 2025
The Northern Railway said that the section Banihel to Katra has an iconic bridge Chenab and Anji and some of the most difficult and longest tunnels.
“For example, the longest operating railway tunnel in the country 12.75 km is between Banihal and Sangaldan. In the last 11 years, many other demanding development work in the field of infrastructure has materialized,” another official said.
Published – June 7, 2025 10:51
