In a landmark moment for the region and Indian Railways, the Kashmir Valley has officially been connected to the rest of the country’s railway network. The final section of track laying was completed on Friday at 2:00 a.m. inside Tunnel T-33, marking the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) and cementing Kashmir’s integration with the Indian railway grid.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed the achievement as a “historic milestone” in a post on social media platform X, celebrating the long-awaited physical and symbolic linkage of the Valley with the rest of India through modern rail infrastructure.
The 3.2 km-long Tunnel T-33, located between Katra and Reasi, witnessed the final stretch of ballastless track being laid—making the entire 272 km stretch of USBRL project track-ready.
Final Stretch Ready for Inspection
Officials from Northern Railway confirmed that the remaining 17-km section between Reasi and Katra is now set for inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Dinesh Chand Deshwal. The CRS will carry out a thorough assessment of track conditions, signalling systems, and overall safety parameters in the coming week.
Once the CRS inspection is successfully completed, the final nod for commencing operations will be given, paving the way for the launch of passenger services across the full stretch.
Vande Bharat Set to Roll
The government is planning to flag off a sleeper version of the Vande Bharat Express from Delhi to Srinagar in January 2025, once all safety clearances are received. The train is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to under 13 hours, providing a faster and more comfortable alternative to the current journey by road or air.
Initially, the train is expected to terminate at Srinagar, with proposals to extend it further to Baramulla in the near future.
USBRL: A Feat of Engineering Excellence
The USBRL project is regarded as one of the most challenging and ambitious rail projects ever undertaken by Indian Railways. Spanning 272 km, the line traverses the tough Himalayan terrain and includes:
- 38 tunnels
- 927 bridges
- Numerous stations between Udhampur, Katra, Reasi, Banihal, Qazigund, Anantnag, Srinagar, Sopore, and Baramulla
Among its engineering marvels is the Chenab Railway Bridge, the highest railway arch bridge in the world, towering at 359 metres above the Chenab River—higher than the Eiffel Tower.
The completion of Tunnel T-33 not only closes a crucial gap in the Katra-Reasi sector but also unifies the already-operational sections of the project between Banihal and Baramulla (since 2013) and between Banihal and Katra.
National and Regional Significance
The USBRL is being seen as a strategic project that strengthens national unity, improves economic connectivity, and boosts tourism in Jammu & Kashmir. It provides an all-weather transportation link to the Valley, especially vital during harsh winters when roads are often closed due to heavy snowfall.
Experts believe the railway will prove transformative for local communities—improving access to education, employment, trade, and health services, while also reducing the dependence on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which remains vulnerable to landslides and weather disruptions.
With the laying of the final track in Tunnel T-33, India has not only achieved an engineering triumph but also taken a decisive step toward bridging distances—geographical, social, and emotional. As the Vande Bharat Express readies for its maiden journey into the heart of the Valley, Kashmir stands at the threshold of a new era of inclusion and connectivity.
