The reports have divulged that soon the direct train services between Jammu and Srinagar will commence because the Northern Railways has fast-tracked operational and redevelopment works in the Jammu division to realize this dream sooner than later. For sure, there are many sections of society which have been waiting for this moment to come as the same will mark a big milestone in J&K’s railway connectivity.
The train service between Jammu and parts of Valley will help in connecting Kashmir with Jammu in a better way as this all-weather connectivity is going to give a respite to many affected by the regular disruptions along the NH44 axis on various occasions including inclement climatic conditions, landslides, mudslides, etc.
In fact, the expansion of the railway network across Jammu and Kashmir is not just a matter of convenience but also of strategic and economic importance. Improved connectivity will help integrate remote regions, open new avenues for trade, tourism, and employment, and ensure faster movement of essential goods throughout the year. The vast potential of the horticulture, handicraft, and tourism sectors in Kashmir can be fully harnessed only when there is reliable and cost-effective transportation available. Moreover, better rail connectivity will also strengthen national integration by bringing people closer, reducing travel time, and encouraging cultural and social exchange between regions that were earlier separated by terrain and weather barriers.
After trains start chugging between Jammu and various stations in Kashmir, the next thing which the helmsmen should do is to start mulling on double-laning of this route as in the coming times the demand of trains will rise out of proportion and a two-way rail network will become a necessity. Whatever has been accomplished so far in this section is not less than a miracle but the people at the helm should understand the importance of this railway route and without wasting even a jiffy, should start the work on expanding this network besides providing all possible amenities which railways offer to commuters in other developed sections across the country.
The USBRL (Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link) is regarded as one of India’s greatest engineering achievements. It includes the world’s highest railway bridge, built over the Chenab River—taller than the Eiffel Tower—and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji Khad.
After achieving such a milestone, expanding the railways in J&K must have become workable and feasible also therefore the government should start pondering on doing the same as soon as possible because taking things historically one can get an idea that wherever train has reached the region had seen colossal development automatically, therefore making it imperative to spend more on this in J&K to ensure seamless development and state-of-the-art travel facility for passengers besides transportation of freight without much difficulty.
