Connecting Kashmir - Socio-Economic Growth and the Spirit of Resilience

Brie rief history and timeline: Linking Kashmir with Indian Railway network is centuries old dreams.

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The first idea for building a narrow gauge rail link to the Kashmir Valley was mooted over a century ago, when foundation stone laid for Jammu — Srinagar rail link by Maharaja Pratap Singh on 1st March 1892, later in 1898 by Maharaja Ranbir Singh. Four viable routes were found to link Punjab with Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley, the Banihal route from Jammu, the Poonch route via the Jhelum Valley, the Panjar route from Rawalpindi also via the Jhelum Valley and the Abbottabad route from Kalako Serai though Hazara in the upper Jhelum Valley. Detailed surveys were conducted for a mix of meter and broad gauge tracks. However, the inhospitable climate, the tricky terrain, restricted resources and history confined this idea to survey reports and drawing boards.

In 1905 the British also re-visited the idea and Maharaja Pratap Singh agreed to the line between Jammu and Srinagar via Reasi following the Moghul road. This plan envisaged a narrow gauge track to cross the Pir Panjal range, but the project remained a dream only.

The project was considered several times after independence also, but it was only in the year 1981 sanction was given for the Jammu-Udhampur Rail link project.

In 1994-95, the final Rail link between UdhampurSrinagar-Baramulla (USBRL) was sanctioned and in the year 2002, the central government declared this Railway line a National Project.

Some of the important key events/ mile stones during the journey of making reality the dream of connecting Kashmir valley with the network of Indian Railways are as follows:

1981: Jammu —Udhampur Rail Link Sanctioned

1994: Extension of Rail link to Srinagar announced.

1995: Works on Udhampur — Katra Rail Link Started.

1999: Works on Qazigund — Baramulla Rail Link started.

2002: Works on Katra — Qazi-gund Rail Link started.

13 Apr 2005: Jammu — Udhampur Section opened.

11 Oct 2008: Mazhom — Anantnag Section opened.