O.N KOUL
The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has utmost love for the people of J &K read Kashmir and the rail connectivity between Delhi and Srinagar Kashmir is in fact the new year gift of Modi sarkar to the people of Kashmir which is rightly called heaven on earth as per Urdu poet Firdusi .The new rail connection will be inaugurated and launched between Delhi and Srinagar by no less a man than the beloved prime minister Narendra Modi on 25th January and this connectivity is the landmark and groundbreaking step and decision of Modi government .It obviously shows how much is Modi serious and concerned about the people of Jammu and Kashmir especially Kashmiris .The train service between New Delhi and Srinagar Kashmir will definitely reduce the psychological divide and gap between rest of India and the people of Kashmir and it will also reduce the distance between Delhi and Kashmir and will also reduce the dil ki duri and Delhi Ke Douri .He the rail connectivity between Delhi and Kashmir is epoch making and historical and the people of Kashmir should welcome the rail connectivity with open arms and embrace it as it will become the life line of the Kashmiris and so this new initiative of the Indian railways is worth appreciating ,commendable job of the Modi government .The rail connectivity will considerably reduce the distance and time taken to reach Srinagar as well as the national capital Delhi .The new rail connectivity between Delhi and Srinagar is the Vande Bharat Sleeper train which is scheduled to be inaugurated by PM Modi on 26th January 2025.The new rail connectivity between Delhi and Srinagar is the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link -USBRL .The long -awaited Srinagar -New Delhi rail link ,a monumental infrastructure project spanning over two decades ,is set to become a reality in coming January 2025.PM Modi is expected to inaugurate the final 17-Km section of the Udhampur -Srinagar -Baramulla Rail Link ,project on January 26,2025.The Srinagar -New Delhi rail link ,over two decades in making is set to launch on January 26,2025 with the Vande Bharat train service .The historic project will revolutionize travel ,boost Kashmir’s tourism and enhance connectivity to the valley’s breathtaking landscape .The new section connecting Reasi to Katra ,will complete the 272 -Km railway line ,bringing the much -anticipated Vande Bharat train service between New Delhi and Srinagar to life .Kashmiri communities have eagerly awaited this milestone ,and the completion of the USBRL project has brought widespread joy to the valley .Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently took to social media platform X to announce this historic milestone ,marking a momentous occasion for the region .The new rail link promises to be a game-changer for various stakeholders ,including local businessmen ,students ,tourists ,government employees, and non-local workers ,as it opens doors to enhanced connectivity and economic growth .The Srinagar-Delhi rail link promises seamless connectivity and a boost to tourism in the valley .Kashmir ,one of India’s most sought -after travel destinations ,is poised to benefit immensely from the new rail service .The direct train link will make travel to the valley more convenient and cost -effective for domestic and international tourists alike.
This development is expected to boost tourism ,which is a key driver of the region’s economy .The scenic landscapes ,snow-capped mountains ,and iconic attractions like Dal Lake and Gulmarg will now be more accessible than ever .In fact the USBRL Project is really an engineering marvel.
The USBRL project ,spanning 383 Km ,was first approved in 1994-95 and later declared a National Project due to its strategic and economic significance .Despite facing numerous challenges ,including difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions ,the project has achieved a series of engineering milestones-1-Tunnel T-33 Completion -On December 13,2024,the 3.2-Km -long Tunnel T-33 near the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine was completed.
This tunnel connects Katra to Reasi and features advanced ballast -less track installation ,underscoring the technological sophistication of the project. 2-Bridge Over Chenab River -The USBRL also features the world’s tallest railway bridge over Chenab River ,a marvel of modern engineering and a symbol of India’s infrastructure prowess .The benefits of the Srinagar-New Delhi Link are as under-1 Seamless Connectivity-The Vande Bharat train service will reduce travel time and improve access between the capital and the Kashmir valley.2-Economic Upliftment-Easier transportation will enhance trade opportunities ,benefitting local artisans ,farmers , and businesses. 3-Tourism Growth-Affordable travel options will attract more tourists ,driving economic activity in the hospitality and service sectors.4-Cultural Integration -Enhanced connectivity fosters greater cultural exchange ,bringing the Valley closer to the rest of India .As the countdown to January 26,2025 ,begins ,anticipation is building for the inauguration of this historical rail link .With the launch of the Vande Bharat train service ,the dream of seamless connectivity to picturesque Kashmir valley is set to become a reality ,marking a new era of progress and prosperity for the region .With 38 tunnels totaling 119 Km ,including India’s biggest transportation tunnel ,T-49 ,which is 12.75 Km long ,the USBRL ,project is an engineering marvel .The project also features 927 bridges ,including the famous Chenab Bridge ,the highest arch railway bridge in the world .Standing 359 m above the riverbed ,the bridge surpasses the Eiffel Tower in height by 35m.Designed with cutting -edge materials to endure wind speeds of 260 Km/h and the strongest earthquakes ,it highlights India’s engineering prowess .The 63Km final stretch ,connecting Sangaldan to Katra is undergoing final safety inspections .During a recent visit ,union Minister Raveet Singh Bittu expressed optimism that the railway would transform connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir ,promoting global competitiveness and economic prosperity .The project’s preparedness is further advanced by the Reasi-Katra phase ,which includes four stations along a 17 Km length which was completed in December 2024.This monumental project has achieved several milestones over the years, Baramulla -Qazigound section in 2009 ,Qazigund -Banihal in 2013 ,Udhampur-Katra in 2014 and the Banihal-Sangaldan service inaugurated in February 2024.USBRL project has been since completed with approximately 700Km,offering travelers a seamless journey through India’s diverse landscapes ,from the plains of Delhi to the snow -capped peaks of Kashmir .The significant innovations in the historic Jawahar Tunnel located in the Pir Panchal range along Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has also been completed.
Managed by BRO, this INR 62.5 crore project aims to modernize the 2.5Km tunnel with the state -of -the -art features ,including energy-efficient lighting and real time monitoring systems .Now travel to Jammu and Kashmir will further become much easier with the operationalization of the Jawahar Tunnal and USBRL ,Project .To conclude it can be opined that there are immense benefits accruing from the new rail service between New Delhi and Srinagar.
(The author is a columnist, social, KP activist)
