Jammu and Kashmir Connectivity Expands Through Rail, Road and Air
ECONOMY & POLICY

Jammu and Kashmir Connectivity Expands Through Rail, Road and Air

Jammu and Kashmir is expanding rail, road, aviation and cargo infrastructure to improve year-round connectivity, support trade and tourism, and strengthen integration with the national economy. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), inaugurated in June 2025, connects the Kashmir Valley with the national railway network through mountainous terrain.

Built at a cost of Rs. 437.8 bn, the 272-km railway project passes through eight districts and includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges. Supporting roads covering more than 215 km have been built, the corridor has been electrified, and the project has generated over 50 mn person-days of employment. Its major structures include the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge.

Vande Bharat Express services between Katra and Srinagar began in June 2025 and were extended to Jammu Tawi in April 2026, reducing the journey to less than five hours. The trains have been expanded from eight to 20 coaches. Four stations have also been identified for redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, while proposed rail projects include additional lines linking Jalandhar, Jammu, Katra and Poonch.

Road connectivity is being strengthened through 110 projects covering 598.455 km under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV. Estimated at more than Rs. 15 bn, the projects are intended to benefit 46,972 people. The 6.4-km Sonamarg Tunnel, completed at a cost exceeding Rs. 27 bn, provides all-weather access, while the 13.153-km Zojila Tunnel is being built along NH 1. The Rs. 68.08 bn project reached its main-tunnel breakthrough in June 2026.

Expansion at Srinagar International Airport, approved at Rs. 16.77 bn, will add a 71,500-square-metre terminal capable of handling 10 mn passengers annually, 15 aircraft bays and parking for 1,000 cars. Regional airports are planned at Udhampur and Kishtwar. A multimodal cargo terminal in Samba is operational, with three more proposed in Kathua, Anantnag and Jammu to improve market access for agricultural and traditional products.

Jammu and Kashmir is expanding rail, road, aviation and cargo infrastructure to improve year-round connectivity, support trade and tourism, and strengthen integration with the national economy. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), inaugurated in June 2025, connects the Kashmir Valley with the national railway network through mountainous terrain. Built at a cost of Rs. 437.8 bn, the 272-km railway project passes through eight districts and includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges. Supporting roads covering more than 215 km have been built, the corridor has been electrified, and the project has generated over 50 mn person-days of employment. Its major structures include the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. Vande Bharat Express services between Katra and Srinagar began in June 2025 and were extended to Jammu Tawi in April 2026, reducing the journey to less than five hours. The trains have been expanded from eight to 20 coaches. Four stations have also been identified for redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, while proposed rail projects include additional lines linking Jalandhar, Jammu, Katra and Poonch. Road connectivity is being strengthened through 110 projects covering 598.455 km under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV. Estimated at more than Rs. 15 bn, the projects are intended to benefit 46,972 people. The 6.4-km Sonamarg Tunnel, completed at a cost exceeding Rs. 27 bn, provides all-weather access, while the 13.153-km Zojila Tunnel is being built along NH 1. The Rs. 68.08 bn project reached its main-tunnel breakthrough in June 2026. Expansion at Srinagar International Airport, approved at Rs. 16.77 bn, will add a 71,500-square-metre terminal capable of handling 10 mn passengers annually, 15 aircraft bays and parking for 1,000 cars. Regional airports are planned at Udhampur and Kishtwar. A multimodal cargo terminal in Samba is operational, with three more proposed in Kathua, Anantnag and Jammu to improve market access for agricultural and traditional products.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Real Estate

Bhartiya Urban plans Rs 10 billion investment in Nikoo Homes 9

Bhartiya Urban has launched Nikoo Homes 9 | Alpine | Bhartiya Garden Hill in Bagalur, North Bengaluru, in a joint venture with Alpine. The company plans to invest over Rs 10 billion in the development, which is spread across 13 acres of freehold land and will comprise 1,584 residential units across two phases.The project is part of the Nikoo Homes portfolio, built around the company's ‘The Good Life’ philosophy, which focuses on family, community, culture, health and learning. The development will offer a range of housing formats, from studios and lofts to Sky Villas. Most homes will have ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

L&T Starts Initial Work on New Tashkent Airport Project

Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has begun initial activities for the New Tashkent International Airport project in Uzbekistan after receiving a limited notice to proceed from the consortium developing the greenfield facility. The work is being undertaken by its public spaces, airport and health (PAH) business vertical. The limited notice to proceed was issued after the execution of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract previously awarded to L&T for the passenger terminal and associated landside infrastructure. The company said the current phase includes initial engineering, detai..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Bengaluru Airport Signs Sister Agreement with Vancouver Airport

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru and Vancouver International Airport in Canada have signed a sister airport agreement to strengthen operational, technological, economic and air service links between southern India and western Canada. The memorandum of understanding was signed on Friday in the presence of Canada's Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, and other dignitaries. The agreement outlines seven areas of collaboration, including the use of technology and innovation to improve airport operations. The partnership will involve work on Vancouver International Airport's D..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code