The 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line (USBRL) is a transformative infrastructure project designed to enhance connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir. Its development reflects the collaborative efforts of successive Indian governments, with key milestones detailed below.
Project Timeline
Approval and National Importance
- March 1995: Approved under the P.V. Narasimha Rao government.
- March 2002: Declared a National Project by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, emphasizing its strategic and developmental significance.
Operational Milestones Under Dr. Manmohan Singh
- April 13, 2005: Launch of the 53-kilometer Jammu-Udhampur section, marking the first operational phase.
- October 11, 2008: Inauguration of a 66-kilometer stretch connecting Mazhom to Anantnag, on the outskirts of Srinagar.
- February 14, 2009: Completion of a 31-kilometer section between Mazhom and Baramulla.
- October 29, 2009: Commissioning of an 18-kilometer rail line linking Anantnag and Qazigund.
- June 26, 2013: Opening of the 11-kilometer Qazigund-Banihal section, a critical link through challenging terrain. By this date, the Baramulla-Qazigund segment spanning 135 kilometers was fully operational.
Achievements Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- July 4, 2014: Inauguration of the 25-kilometer Udhampur-Katra section, delayed under the previous administration due to the 2014 election Model Code of Conduct.
Post-2014 Progress
- Completion of the 111-kilometer Katra-Banihal segment, with groundwork laid through contracts awarded before 2014.
Engineering Marvel: The Chenab Bridge
- Contract awarded in 2005 to Konkan Railway Corporation in partnership with Afcons Infrastructure, VSK India, and South Korea’s Ultra Construction & Engineering. This iconic bridge, spanning the Chenab River, exemplifies India’s engineering capabilities.
Significance
The USBRL project, with its completion, will revolutionize connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, fostering socio-economic development and overcoming geographical challenges. Its successful execution underscores India's commitment to integrating remote regions into the national mainstream.
