Northern Railway’s Jammu division, which completes its first year next week, has recorded multiple milestones in infrastructure development, connectivity expansion and operational growth, railway officials said.

India’s 70th railway division was officially established and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 6 last year. According to Northern Railway, the creation of the Jammu division has played a transformative role in connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country and has contributed to social and economic change across Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2025, the division achieved a major breakthrough with the inauguration of the 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link, providing all-weather rail connectivity to the Valley. The project included the dedication of the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge, which stands 35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower, and the country’s first cable-stayed Anji Rail Bridge, both described as engineering landmarks.

The launch of Vande Bharat services to Kashmir has significantly improved passenger mobility, with more than 375,000 passengers having travelled on these trains since their introduction on June 6, 2025. The Katra–Amritsar route has further strengthened religious and spiritual tourism by easing access for pilgrims.

The new rail connectivity has also delivered economic benefits. More than 20,000 tonnes of apples and around 150,000 tonnes of cement were transported through the rail network, supporting farmers, traders and construction activity. The Anantnag goods shed, with a handling capacity of 150,000 tonnes of cement, has enhanced logistics efficiency. For the first time, automobile and foodgrain rakes reached the Valley, while cherries were transported from Kashmir to Bandra, marking a significant logistics achievement.

Northern Railway said the Jammu division secured about Rs 940 million through new non-fare revenue contracts and recovered Rs 37.2 million from more than 63,000 cases through ticket-checking drives during the year.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said 2025 was a challenging year for the newly formed division, but sustained efforts were made to ensure passenger safety, comfort and convenience. He added that the Jammu division is now moving towards its next phase of development, with new projects planned for 2026 to further enhance connectivity and prosperity in the region.