There is good news for the passengers. Direct trains will start running between New Delhi and Srinagar from January next year, which will increase connectivity in the northern corner of India. Jammu and Kashmir, which has been grappling with decades-long security problems, is now set to boost the region’s economy with rail connectivity. The development is part of the long-awaited Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which is nearing completion.

Delhi to Kashmir direct trains

According to reports, the USBRL project, which was approved decades ago, consists of 38 tunnels, including Tunnel-T, the longest in the country at 12.75 kilometres, and 917 bridges with a total length of 13 kilometres. It also includes the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge at 359 meters above river level – 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower.

Most of the work has finally been completed except a few sections like Reasi-Katra section and Tunnel T-33, which are expected to be ready by December 2024. The first Delhi-Baramulla train service is likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26 January 2025.

The last 63 km distance between Sangaldan and Katra is currently undergoing safety inspection. When fully operational, the Delhi-Baramulla train route will cover a distance of approximately 700 km.

Also read: Soon, a new Vande Bharat train will take passengers from New Delhi to Srinagar

New Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express

Recently Indian Railways also made a new announcement Vande Bharat express train. The New Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will be a high-speed train which is expected to significantly reduce the travel time between the two cities, offering a comfortable and efficient mode of transportation. The train, which is scheduled to begin operations in January 2025, will depart from New Delhi at 7 pm and reach Srinagar at 8 am the next day. The overnight train will make limited stops at major stations like Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Jammu Tawi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. It will also cross the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), an important railway link for better connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.

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