Udhampur-Baramulla Rail Link Set to Begin Operations by January

20 Dec 2024 CW Team

The much-anticipated Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is nearing completion, with operations likely to commence in January 2025, according to Northern Railway General Manager Ashok Verma. Speaking to reporters, Verma confirmed that work on the final tunnel in the Reasi region, known as T-33, is expected to be finished within a week. "We are hopeful of achieving connectivity by January. Once completed, all trains, including Vande Bharat, will operate on this route, and a timetable will be prepared," Verma said. The completion of the USBRL is expected to transform connectivity for Kashmir, linking the region to the rest of the country via rail for the first time. Verma highlighted the significant impact this project will have, stating, "There will be a total change in the situation in Kashmir." The 3.2-km T-33 tunnel, located near the Vaishno Devi foothills and connecting Katra to Reasi, marks the final piece of the 17-km stretch between the two towns. With track-laying complete and electrical work set to finish within a week, a CRS (Commissioner of Railway Safety) inspection is scheduled in the next 15 days, paving the way for train operations. Once operational, the USBRL will enable direct train services from Kashmir to Delhi, enhancing connectivity and bolstering economic growth in the region. General Manager Verma also visited several railway stations in the Valley to review ongoing infrastructure developments and operational readiness. (ET)

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Suraj Estate Wins Euromoney Award for India’s Best Residential Developer

"Suraj Estate Developers Limited has received the Euromoney Real Estate Award 2025 for ‘India’s Best Residential Developer’, positioning the company among globally benchmarked leaders in the sector. The recognition reflects its four-decade legacy in delivering high-quality residential and redevelopment-led projects across South Central Mumbai. The Euromoney Real Estate Awards, presented by the London-based Euromoney magazine, are widely regarded as one of the most credible global assessments of performance in real estate, banking and finance. Winners are selected through surveys of inte..

Lloyds Metals, Tata Steel Sign MoU to Explore Strategic Collaboration

"Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Steel Limited to evaluate potential areas of strategic cooperation across mining, logistics, pelletisation and steelmaking. The MoU was signed by B Prabhakaran, Managing Director of Lloyds Metals, and Mr T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel. The partnership framework aims to leverage the natural operational synergies between both companies and assess opportunities in greenfield steel projects, iron ore mining, slurry pipeline infrastructure, pellet manufacturing in iron ore–ric..

IndiaAI, Gujarat Govt Host Regional Conclave Ahead of 2026 AI Summit

The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, along with the Government of Gujarat and IIT Gandhinagar, convened a Regional Pre-Summit Event at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The initiative is part of the build-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 15–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conclave brought together senior policymakers, technology leaders, researchers and industry practitioners to examine how AI can accelerate economic, digital and social transformation across sectors. The programme focused on the overarching th..