Historic rail link to unlock economic potential of J&K: LG

Srinagar, June 04: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday hailed the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari, as a historic step that will usher in a new era of development, prosperity, and national integration for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the significance of the engineering marvel — the world’s highest Chenab Railway Bridge — along with a network of 36 tunnels and 943 bridges that enable year-round connectivity to the region.
“This transformative infrastructure reflects the rising aspirations of Kashmir and the unwavering commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in scripting a new chapter for Jammu and Kashmir,” said LG Sinha.
He emphasised that the Prime Minister’s vision has laid the foundation for an inclusive and vibrant future for the region, ensuring that no section of society is left behind. “Under PM’s leadership, what once seemed impossible is now becoming a reality. There is new dynamism across sectors and accelerated growth at the grassroots,” the LG noted.
Since 2022, the Prime Minister has visited Jammu and Kashmir five times to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of major infrastructure projects worth ₹64,400 crore. Additionally, 53 projects under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), valued at ₹58,477 crore, are underway, along with several other connectivity and development initiatives worth thousands of crores.
Describing the ₹43,780 crore rail link as a “railway line to the future,” the Lieutenant Governor called it an exemplar of engineering excellence. “It will pave the way for trade, business opportunities, and year-round transportation, fundamentally altering the economic landscape of the region,” he said.
He added that the transformative infrastructure thrust spearheaded by Prime Minister Modi is not just about connectivity—it is about elevating living standards, attracting industrial investment, and enabling broader economic participation.
“Connectivity brings prosperity. This historic railway line will unlock the hidden potential of Jammu and Kashmir and spark unprecedented economic growth in the remotest corners of the UT,” LG Sinha said.
Reaffirming his commitment to a self-reliant and developed Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor concluded, “With Prime Minister’s New Vision for New Jammu Kashmir, we are witnessing rapid socio-economic change and building a society where every citizen is treated as equal.”