The Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge have emerged as key engineering landmarks on the 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), strengthening all-weather rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of India. The completion of the link has enabled passenger trains to reach the Valley while creating new opportunities for transporting agricultural produce, essential supplies and industrial goods. The rail connection is expected to help Kashmiri products, including apples, cherries, dry fruits and handicrafts, reach markets across the country more efficiently. At the same time, goods such as cement, automobiles, foodgrains, salt, fertilisers and milk can be transported to the Valley through the railway network.
Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge overcome engineering challenges
The railway project faced considerable geographical challenges as engineers worked through the mountainous terrain of the Pir Panjal range, with its deep gorges, valleys and rivers. Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Vineet Abhishek said that while a railway line existed earlier, a crucial 111-km stretch between Banihal and Katra remained incomplete because of the region's difficult geography.
"We are in the Pir Panjal range, and the high mountain ranges, the gorges, the valleys, the rivers, they all posed humongous challenges to create this kind of infrastructure. The great thing is that the Indian Railways took it as a challenge, and we were able to deliver," he said.
The Chenab Rail Bridge, known for its towering structure over the Chenab river, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, are among the major engineering achievements of the project. Together with the tunnels and other infrastructure along the route, they have helped establish rail connectivity through some of the region's most challenging terrain.
Kashmir rail connectivity to help apples, cherries reach markets faster
The new rail link is expected to improve the movement of horticultural produce from Kashmir to major consumption centres, including Delhi and Mumbai. Faster and more efficient transportation could benefit growers and traders dealing in perishable goods by helping them access distant markets.
Abhishek said the railway connection was already making a difference to the movement of goods between Kashmir and other parts of the country.
"The horticultural products from this region are going in the minimum possible time to be able to reach markets like Mumbai and Delhi. And similarly, the commodities that are needed here from the rest of the country can come here in the minimum possible time," he said.
Besides agricultural produce, the railway network can facilitate the movement of essential commodities and industrial supplies into the Valley. This could improve logistics for businesses and make the transportation of goods more convenient.
Vande Bharat Express passengers praise Kashmir rail link
The new railway connection has also drawn praise from passengers travelling aboard the Vande Bharat Express, who highlighted the scale of construction and the convenience of travelling to Kashmir by train.
Nikhil, a civil engineer travelling on the route, told ANI that he was impressed by the engineering involved in the project.
"We hadn't made this journey before, but the route that has been built is excellent. The effort behind it, the engineering and construction, is amazing. We are used to seeing development projects take 10 or 15 years, yet this was finished and opened within such a short timeframe," he said.
Reflecting on the technical challenges involved, he added, "As a civil engineer, I understand the process of constructing tunnels and such. So, it is truly impressive. The journey itself feels great."
Another passenger, Kuldeep Singh, said the railway connection would make travel to Srinagar easier for people who previously depended on road transport.
"It was a great initiative by the government to link this region with the rest of India. Srinagar wasn't connected by rail before; now that it is, things have become much easier. Transportation is smoother, and people can travel with ease. It used to take so much time by road and now we are travelling on the Vande Bharat," he said.
How the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link changes connectivity
The 272-km USBRL project connects the Kashmir Valley with the wider Indian railway network, improving access for passengers and providing an alternative channel for transporting goods. Its bridges, tunnels and railway infrastructure have addressed long-standing geographical barriers that complicated the construction of a continuous rail route. Beyond passenger travel, the connection could support trade, tourism and regional economic activity by improving the movement of people and products. For Kashmir's horticulture sector, in particular, more efficient rail transportation offers an additional route to reach markets beyond the region.
Inputs from ANI