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Railways prepares DPR for 164 km new rail line in Kashmir Valley after USBRL project completion

Indian Railways Jammu & Kashmir project: The national transporter has completed the survey and DPR to improve and extend the rail connectivity in the Kashmir region.

3 min readUpdated: Dec 7, 2025 03:48 PM IST

Kashmir new rail line: The iconic Chenab Bridge is 1315 m long having Arch span of 467 m and height of 359 m above river bed. (Image: AIR)

New railway project in Jammu and Kashmir, Railways Jammu & Kashmir project: After successfully completing the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, Indian Railways is now aims to connect rest parts of the Kashmir Valley to the rail network. For this, the Ministry of Railways has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a new 164 km railway line in the Union Territory.

New railway line project in Kashmir

The national transporter has completed the survey and DPR to improve and extend the rail connectivity in the Kashmir region. Now, the sanctioning of project requires consultation with various stake-holders including state governments.

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In a written statement in Rajya Sabha on December 5, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said: “To further improve/extend the rail connectivity in Kashmir region, survey of Baramulla-Uri new line (46 Km) and Banihal – Baramulla doubling (118 Km) has been completed and Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared.

After preparation of DPR, sanctioning of project requires consultation with various stake-holders including State Governments and necessary approvals viz, appraisal of NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance etc. As sanctioning of projects is a continuous and dynamic process, exact timelines depend upon appraisals and approvals by various stakeholders.”

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Railway project in Kashmir, USBRL project update

The 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project was commissioned earlier this year, establishing direct rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country. The USBRL route spans the districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir.

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USBRL project latest update

The USBRL project is one of the most difficult new railway line projects undertaken in the country post-independence. The terrain passes through young Himalayas, which are full of geological surprises and numerous problems. In this project, Railway has made the world’s highest Railway Bridge over Chenab River in Reasi district of J&K.

Anish Mondal

Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More

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