General Manager of Northern Railway, Rajesh Kumar Pandey, recently finished a two-day inspection of the Katra-Srinagar-Baramulla rail section on March 30, 2026. This visit was conducted to review the safety standards and infrastructure readiness of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. The senior railway officials aimed to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place for the upcoming direct rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.
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What aspects of the route were inspected?
The inspection covered various technical and passenger-related facilities along the route. GM Rajesh Kumar Pandey and DRM Vivek Kumar examined the railway tracks, bridges, and tunnels to verify their operational preparedness. The following key elements were reviewed during the two-day visit:
- Structural safety of the Chenab Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge
- Electrification infrastructure and maintenance standards in the Katra to Banihal section
- Passenger amenities at the Budgam Railway Station which is under development
- Freight operations and terminal facilities at the Anantnag Goods Terminal
Direct connectivity and future expectations
The USBRL project is currently in its final stages of completion. While train services like the Vande Bharat Express have been operating between Katra and Srinagar since June 2025, the full link will soon connect the entire region directly to the national grid. The General Manager instructed officials to complete all pending work within the stipulated timelines. He emphasized that safety is the top priority and no compromise will be made on safety standards in this challenging terrain. This project is expected to provide a major boost to tourism and trade in Jammu and Kashmir.