Why in News?

PM Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, marking the launch of a direct rail link to the Kashmir Valley.

This historic milestone is expected to significantly boost development, trade, tourism, and deepen the region’s integration with the rest of India.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Early Railway Efforts in Jammu and Kashmir
• An Engineering Marvel in the Himalayas

Early Railway Efforts in Jammu and Kashmir

• The first railway line in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was constructed by the British in 1897, connecting Jammu and Sialkot (now in Pakistan) over a stretch of 40–45 km.
• In 1902 and 1905, proposals were made for a Rawalpindi-Srinagar rail line via the Jhelum River, and an alternative Jammu-Srinagar line via Reasi was supported by Maharaja Pratap Singh. Neither plan materialized.
• Post-Partition Disconnection and Reconnection
  • After Partition in 1947, Sialkot became part of Pakistan, severing Jammu’s railway connectivity.
  • Until 1975, the closest railway station to Jammu and Kashmir was in Pathankot, Punjab.
  • The Pathankot-Jammu rail line was inaugurated in 1975.
  • Construction of the Jammu-Udhampur rail line (53 km) began in 1983, but was only completed in 2004 — 21 years later.
• Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project
  • In 1994, the project was extended from Udhampur to Srinagar and Baramulla.
  • The USBRL Project was officially approved in March 1995 at an estimated cost of ₹2,500 crore and declared a national project in 2002.
  • Over the years, sections of the line became operational.
• Completion of USBRL: A Landmark Achievement
  • The USBRL is now fully completed:
    • 272 km of rail tracks
    • 36 tunnels and 943 bridges
    • Total cost: ₹43,780 crore
  • It now connects Katra and Srinagar with a travel time of just 3 hours, marking a transformative milestone in connectivity for the region.

An Engineering Marvel in the Himalayas

• 
• The USBRL project overcame extreme geological and climatic challenges in the seismically active and snow-bound Shivalik Hills and Pir Panjal range.
• Key engineering achievements include:
  • Chenab Bridge: World’s highest railway arch bridge, 359 metres above the riverbed.
    • It rises 35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower.
    • Spanning 1,315 metres, this steel arch structure is a key part of the Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Railway Link.
    • The bridge can withstand wind speeds of up to 260 kilometres per hour and is built to last 120 years. 
    • Structural steel suitable for temperatures ranging from minus 10 to 40 degrees Celsius has been used.
  • Anji Khad Bridge: Indian Railways’ first cable-stayed bridge, also in Reasi district.
    • It spans the deep Anji River valley, south of the Chenab, connecting the Katra Banihal section of the Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Rail Line.
    • Towering 331 metres above the riverbed and stretching 725 metres across, it is anchored by 96 high tensile cables.
    • At its heart stands an inverted Y shaped pylon that climbs 193 metres above its foundation.
  • Longest transport tunnel in India: 12.77 km in Ramban district.
• Year-Round, All-Weather Rail Connectivity
  • Two Vande Bharat trains in each direction will connect Katra to Srinagar in just 3 hours, cutting road travel time by half.
  • The trains are designed to operate even during harsh winter conditions, ensuring uninterrupted access to the Kashmir Valley throughout the year.
  • Plans are underway to extend service to Jammu Tawi, enabling direct rail connectivity to Srinagar from across India.
• Boost to Economy and Tourism
  • The railway link is expected to revolutionise tourism in Jammu and Kashmir by offering safe, quick, and scenic travel options.
  • It will facilitate faster and cheaper transport of local products like apples, dry fruits, pashmina shawls, and handicrafts to other parts of the country.
  • The cost of importing daily essentials into the Valley is likely to decrease, benefiting local residents and businesses alike.