The Government has sanctioned a survey and prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a new railway line between Sopore and Kupwara, covering a distance of 34 kilometres, to extend the existing Srinagar–Baramulla section. However, the project was later dropped after being found technically and financially unfeasible.
To further strengthen rail connectivity in the border regions of Jammu and Kashmir, DPRs have also been prepared for two major projects — the doubling of the Qazigund–Srinagar–Budgam section (118 km) and a new rail line from Baramulla to Uri (40 km).
The government said that after the preparation of DPRs, the sanctioning of railway projects requires consultations with various stakeholders, including state governments, and approvals from agencies such as NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. Since this process is continuous and dynamic, no fixed timelines can be specified for project approvals.
The Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, informed the Rajya Sabha that the 272-kilometre-long Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project has recently been commissioned. The project connects the districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, and Baramulla.
He said the USBRL project has made significant socio-economic contributions to the region, particularly in terms of employment. More than five crore man-days of work have been generated through the project.
In addition, over 215 kilometres of approach roads, including tunnels and around 320 small bridges, have been constructed, improving connectivity and boosting local development.
With the introduction of reliable, all-weather rail services connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the Indian Railways network, the Minister said tourism in the region is expected to receive a major boost.
This information was shared by the Minister in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.(KINS)
