The much-awaited Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is close to completion, with operations expected to begin in January 2025. Northern Railway General Manager, Ashok Verma, confirmed that work on the final tunnel in the Reasi region, Tunnel T-33, is set to be completed within a week. Once finished, all trains, including the Vande Bharat Express, will operate on this route, and a timetable will be finalised.
Verma stressed the importance of the USBRL for Kashmir’s connectivity, describing the project as a game-changer for the region. The 3.2-km T-33 tunnel, which connects Katra to Reasi, is the final section of the 17-km stretch, and with track-laying completed, electrical work is expected to finish shortly. A Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inspection is scheduled within 15 days, marking the final step before train operations can commence.
Once operational, the USBRL will provide direct rail services from Kashmir to Delhi, significantly improving connectivity and stimulating economic growth in the region. Verma also conducted visits to various railway stations in the Valley to assess infrastructure progress and readiness for operations.
