USBRL Provides All-Weather Connectivity to Kashmir, Opening New Market Opportunities for Farmers and Small & Medium Enterprises: Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw

The 272‑km Udhampur‑Srinagar‑Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) has been commissioned, providing all‑weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir valley. The project includes the world’s highest railway bridge (Chenab Bridge, 359 m above the river) and a 473‑m cable‑stayed bridge, along with 215 km of roads, electrified tracks, and new stations under the Amrit Bharat Scheme. Travel time between Katra and Srinagar is now about three hours, facilitating tourism and enabling farmers and SMEs to ship apples, dry fruits, pashmina shawls and handicrafts to national markets. In‑principle approvals for Gati Shakti Multi‑Modal Cargo Terminals in Kathua, Anantnag and Jammu, and further rail line surveys, aim to expand logistics and economic opportunities in the region.