Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a landmark 272-kilometre railway corridor that now connects the Kashmir Valley directly to the rest of India. Widely hailed as one of the most ambitious and challenging infrastructure projects undertaken in the country, the USBRL is considered an engineering marvel for the scale of its construction and the complexity of the terrain it traverses.
Out of the total stretch, nearly 119 kilometres of the route pass through 36 tunnels, including Tunnel T-50, India’s longest railway tunnel. Additionally, the corridor is supported by 943 bridges built across deep gorges and rugged mountain valleys. The massive scale and technical precision required for this project underline the engineering brilliance involved in its execution. Built at a cost exceeding ₹42,000 crore, the rail link brings year-round connectivity to the valley and is expected to drastically transform transportation, trade, and tourism in the region.
Tunnel T-50, stretching 12.77 kilometres between the Sumbad-Khari section, stands as the country’s longest operational transport tunnel. Constructed using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), it cuts through hard rock formations such as quartzite, gneiss, and phyllite. The tunnel includes a parallel rescue tunnel with cross-passages every 375 metres, designed for emergency evacuations. Engineers faced extreme geological and climatic challenges during its construction, including water ingress, shear zones, and highly jointed volcanic rock layers.
Another key structure is Tunnel T-80, the 11.2-kilometre-long Banihal-Qazigund tunnel that runs through the Pir Panjal range. It enables all-weather movement, overcoming barriers posed by heavy snow and elevation, and is often referred to as the “backbone” of the USBRL. Tunnel T-34, a twin tunnel stretching 5.099 kilometres, connects Pai-Khad and Anji Khad and is linked to India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. Tunnel T-33, at 5.2 kilometres, passes through the geologically complex Trikuta range and required the use of ‘I-System’ tunneling due to heavy water seepage and unstable rock conditions.
The Udhampur-Chak Rakhwal section features Tunnel T-23, which spans 3.15 kilometres and uses ballastless track technology. In 2008, a portion of the tunnel had to be redesigned due to structural stress. Tunnel T-1, located between Katra and Reasi, is 3.209 kilometres long and posed significant challenges due to its location along the Main Boundary Thrust fault zone. Engineers used chemical grouting, drainage pipes, and umbrella roofing to address persistent mud and water issues. Meanwhile, Tunnel T-25 stands as a testament to perseverance, as it took six years to complete due to the discovery of an underground water flow that released up to 2,000 litres per second during excavation.
The inauguration also included the launch of the Chenab Bridge, a record-breaking structure that is now the highest railway bridge in the world. Standing 359 metres above the riverbed, the 1.31-kilometre-long bridge towers 35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower and nearly five times the height of the Qutub Minar. Approved in 2003, the bridge has been built at a cost of ₹1,486 crore and is expected to become an iconic symbol of India’s engineering capabilities.
The USBRL is expected to bring significant economic and strategic benefits to Jammu and Kashmir. With reliable year-round rail connectivity, the region will now have improved access to essential supplies, including healthcare and goods, particularly during the harsh winters when road links often get disrupted. The link will also drastically reduce freight time to Delhi and other major cities, enhancing trade and market access for local producers.
In addition to its economic impact, the rail link is seen as a vital instrument of national integration, connecting the region not just geographically but emotionally with the rest of the country. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link is more than just a railway project—it is a symbol of India’s resolve, engineering excellence, and commitment to inclusive development.
