Srinagar, Oct 22: Marking a significant milestone in the history of UT’s railway connectivity, UMO Railways, Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said that the Baramulla-Banihal railway track, connecting Jammu with Srinagar, will be completed by December this year.
In an interview with DD News, the Minister highlighted the significant progress made in the last nine years. He mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government had substantially increased the project budget from 1000 Crore to 6000 Crore, which had significantly accelerated the pace of project works.
“The railway network connecting Jammu with Kashmir is now nearly complete, and the pending work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL) is expected to be finished by the end of this year,” he said. This project is poised to establish a railway connection from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, greatly enhancing the country’s connectivity.
Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that “Special Vande Bharat trains will soon be operational between Srinagar and Jammu stations,” ushering in a new era of transportation and connectivity in the region.
He emphasized the rapid development taking place in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, including the recent hosting of G20 meetings in the Union Territory.
Vaishnaw said the completion of development work on the Chenab Bridge, Anji Bridge, and tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir, with efforts focused on an overall transformation in the region.
Recently, Vistadome coaches were added on the south Kashmir’s Banihal and central Kashmir’s Srinagar route. It offers a glass ceiling and large windows to allow passengers a 360-degree view, which will allow appreciation of the beauty of the breathtaking landscapes on the way.
