Jammu–Srinagar direct train likely to roll out before winter

Srinagar, Sep 17: The much-awaited Jammu–Srinagar direct train service is likely to become operational by the end of October, sources said.

They told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the service, part of the prestigious 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, is being seen as a major step in connecting the Valley with the rest of the country through uninterrupted rail travel.

According to officials, the service is expected to begin once the pending works at Jammu railway station are wrapped up. The expansion of Jammu railway station was scheduled to be completed by September. However, the pace of work slowed due to multiple factors, pushing the deadline back by nearly three weeks.

A senior railway official said that the final work is yet to be completed at the Jammu railway division, and the project is in its last stages. “Construction activities are continuing, and efforts are being made to finish the remaining tasks. Once the pending expansion at Jammu station is completed and clearance is received, the direct service will be launched. The target is to make it operational before winter sets in,” the official said.

The USBRL project, declared a ‘national project’ in 2002, has faced numerous engineering and natural challenges. It features some of the world’s most ambitious railway infrastructure, including the Chenab Rail Bridge—the tallest railway bridge in the world—and several long tunnels.

The new connectivity is expected to give a major boost to tourism, trade, and the horticulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir.