By Ishfaq Gowher | Gulistan News | June 5, 2025
JAMMU & KASHMIR — What began as a royal vision in the 19th century is now a defining achievement in India’s modern infrastructure journey. The long-awaited railway connection between Jammu and Kashmir, envisioned by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1892, is finally becoming a reality under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
On June 6, PM Modi will inaugurate key milestones of this engineering saga, including the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab river, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge at Anji, and launch Vande Bharat trains connecting Katra to Srinagar.
🕰️ 1892: A Vision Ahead of Its Time
The first formal proposal to link Jammu (winter capital) with Srinagar (summer capital) via railway was made on March 1, 1892, by Maharaja Pratap Singh, ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. The idea was ambitious — a rail link through the treacherous Pir Panjal mountain range.
In 1898, the Maharaja appointed S.R. Scott Stratten & Co., a British engineering firm, to survey the terrain and propose viable routes. Over the next 11 years, three detailed reports were submitted:
🔹 D.A. Adam’s Report: Proposed a narrow-gauge (2 ft 6 in) electric railway using steam engines. Rejected due to elevation and gradient difficulties.
🔹 W.J. Weightman’s 1902 Plan: Suggested a route via Abbottabad and Jhelum river, now in Pakistan. Also rejected due to cross-border issues.
🔹 Wild Blood’s Proposal: Recommended the Reasi–Chenab alignment, which was accepted and formed the basis for future plans.
The Dogra regime also explored electrifying the route, setting up power plants in Banihal and Ramsu, and surveyed coal reserves in Sangarmarg and Mehowgala, but implementation never materialized. After Maharaja Pratap Singh’s death in 1925, and amid rising national movements for independence, the project was shelved.
🚂 Revival in 1983: Indira Gandhi’s Foundation Stone
After nearly six decades of silence, the dream was reignited when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi laid the foundation stone for the Jammu–Udhampur–Srinagar railway line in 1983. It was estimated to cost ₹50 crore and be completed in five years.
Yet, progress was painfully slow:
Only 11 km of track was laid in 13 years, costing ₹300 crore
The stretch included 19 tunnels and 11 bridges, highlighting the project’s monumental challenges in Himalayan geology
🚧 USBRL Declared National Project in 2002
In 2002, recognising its strategic and national importance, the project was declared a ‘national project’. Renamed the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), the 272-km line is now nearing completion.
Key Phases Commissioned:
Qazigund–Baramulla (2009)
Banihal–Qazigund (2013)
Udhampur–Katra (2014)
Banihal–Sangaldan (2023)
Katra–Sangaldan (Completed in Feb 2024)
This engineering feat includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges, built through landslide-prone, high-altitude, and militancy-affected terrain. The final cost has risen to ₹43,780 crore.
🏗️ Chenab & Anji Bridges: Engineering Wonders
PM Modi will inaugurate the world’s tallest railway bridge, the Chenab Rail Bridge, standing 359 meters above the river, taller than the Eiffel Tower. The 1,315-metre-long bridge uses special steel and seismic-resistant design.
He will also inaugurate the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, connecting difficult ridges and defying wind speeds of over 260 km/hr.
🚄 Vande Bharat Reaches Kashmir
In a first, PM Modi will flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar, providing world-class rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley. The trains will cut travel time to just 3 hours, compared to the current 5–6 hours.
🛣️ Massive Road & Healthcare Projects
Also on the PM’s itinerary are the foundation stones and inauguration of key highway and health infrastructure projects:
₹1,952 Cr road upgrades including Rafiabad–Kupwara NH-701, Shopian Bypass (NH-444), and flyovers at Sangrama and Bemina
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, Reasi’s first medical college (₹350 Cr)
💬 Legacy and National Pride
“It is a matter of pride not just for J&K but for the entire country that a dream first imagined by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1892 is now a reality,” said Vikramaditya Singh, grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh.
“The Kashmir train project, once a royal vision, now stands as a symbol of national integration and engineering excellence,” a railway official added.
From British-era blueprints to cutting-edge infrastructure, this project reflects India’s commitment to unity through connectivity. The Prime Minister’s June 6 visit marks not just inaugurations—but a tribute to 130 years of resilience, innovation, and vision.
🖊️ Report by Ishfaq Gowher | Gulistan News Desk
📡 Follow us for live coverage of PM Modi’s historic visit to Jammu & Kashmir.
