Jammu–Baramulla line

{{Short description|Railway line in northern India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox rail line | box_width = | name = Jammu–Baramulla line<br>Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link (USBRL) | other_name = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | color = | logo = | logo_width = | logo_alt = | image = Indian railways train in snow at Hiller station, Jammu and Kashmir.jpg | image_width = 330px | image_alt = | caption = An Indian railways train on the Jammu–Baramulla line in snow | system = | locale = Jammu and Kashmir | start = {{rws|Jammu Tawi}} | end = {{rws|Baramulla}} | routes = | daily_ridership = | ridership2 = | open = 6 June 2025 | event1label = | event1 = | event2label = | event2 = | event3label = | event3 = | close = | owner = Indian Railways | character = | depot = | stock = | linelength_km = | linelength_mi = | linelength = 324 km | tracklength_km = | tracklength_mi = | tracklength = | tracks = 1 | gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm|lk=on}} broad gauge | old_gauge = | load_gauge = | minradius = | racksystem = | routenumber = | linenumber = | electrification = Yes | speed_km/h = 110-130 | speed_mph = | speed = | elevation_m = 1730<ref name=highest>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/budget/budget-2013-budget/indian-railways-more-than-broad-metre-and-narrow-gauges-638762.html|title=Indian Railways: More than broad, metre and narrow gauges|website=FirstPost|date=25 February 2013}}</ref> | elevation_ft = | elevation = | website = | map = {{switcher |{{maplink-road|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=290|frame-height=300|frame-align=center|type=line|stroke-width=3|id=Q387255|}} Jammu–Baramulla line highlighted in red<hr> |Show interactive map |{{Jammu–Baramulla line|inline=1}} |Show BSicon diagram map }} | map_state = collapsed }}

The '''Jammu–Baramulla line'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/kashmir-railway/|title=Jammu-Baramulla line|work=Railway Technology}}</ref> (including the '''Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramula Rail Link (USBRL)''' subsection) is a 324 km long railway between the cities of Jammu and Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir India. It is fully operational as of 7 June 2025. Connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, this rail link has major geostrategic importance for the Indian armed forces. It has reduced the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar from 7 hours to 3 hours;<ref name=printstat1/> it also connects the important religious pilgrimage sites of Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and Amarnath Temple.<ref name=amar1>{{Cite web |last=Excelsior |first=Daily |date=2025-06-01 |title=PM set to flag off train to Kashmir on June 6, address rally at Katra Stadium |url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/pm-set-to-flag-off-train-to-kashmir-on-june-6-address-rally-at-katra-stadium/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Daily Excelsior |language=en-US}}</ref>

Completed in several phases, this link entails several engineering achievements including the Chenab Bridge - world's highest railway bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge - India's first cable-stayed railway bridge,<ref name=printstat1/> the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel (Banihal railway tunnel) - India's longest railway tunnel as of 2025,<ref name="usbrl.org"/> and the T33 tunnel, which, while short, is immensely challenging as it punches through the Main Boundary Thrust of the Himalayas.

==History== [[File:Jammu Tawi to Delhi - Rail side views 02.JPG|thumb|alt=Long orange-and-white passenger train in a station|Jammu Tawi railway station.]]

In 1972, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi opened the newly laid railway line from Kathua to Jammu Tawi, and in 1983 she laid foundation stone for Jammu-Udhampur section of railway line. In 1994, while the Jammu-Udhampur line was still under-construction it's extension to Baramulla was announced by the Prime minister PV Narsimharao.

In 2005, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurates the operational Jammu-Udhampur railway line construction of which was delayed by 21 years,<ref name="Udhampur"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050414/main2.htm|work=Online Edition of The Tribune, dated 2005-04-14|title=Manmohan flags off first Udhampur-Jammu train|author=S.P. Sharma & Tripti Nath|access-date=13 August 2008}}</ref> He also inaugurated Anantnag-Mazhom section in 2008,<ref name="Iso">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200810120322.htm|work=Online edition of The Hindu, dated 2008-10-12|title=Manmohan flags off first train in Kashmir Valley|access-date=12 October 2008|location=Chennai, India|date=12 October 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707193644/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200810120322.htm|archive-date=7 July 2009}}</ref><ref name="PR">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/prime-minister-flags-off-kashmir-valleys-dream-train-31183-2008-10-10 |title=Prime Minister flags off Kashmir Valley's dream train |date=11 October 2008 |website=India Today}}</ref> Mazhom/Pattan-Baramulla section in 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sonia-inaugurates-intl-airport-in-srinagar/423534/|title=Valley train reaches Baramulla|date=14 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200902140334.htm|work=Online edition of The Hindu, dated 2009-02-14|title=Train between Baramulla, Anantnag to be flagged off today|author=PTI|location=Chennai, India|date=14 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707090609/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200902140334.htm|archive-date=7 July 2009}}</ref> Anantnag-Qazigund section in 2009,<ref name="Qazigund">{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=53658|title=Prime Minister dedicates Anantnag-Quazigund rail line in Kashmir to nation|date=28 October 2009|work=Press Release, Press Information Bureau, Government of India|access-date=2 December 2009}}</ref> Qazigund-Banihal section in 2013.

In January 2025, Jammu Railway Division was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a newly created division carved out from the Firozpur Division, and the responsibility for the Jammu-Baramaulla line was transferred from Firozpur Division to Jammu Railway Division.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Times |first1=Hindustan |title=PM Modi inaugurates Jammu rail division, says will boost development in region |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/pm-modi-inaugurates-jammu-railway-division-101736153718424.html |access-date=9 January 2025}}</ref>

===Accidents===

During the construction there were several fatal accidents, including death of Altaf Hussain, a Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) labourer in June 2005 by a tunnel collapse in Tathyar, the drowning of two girls in an excavated ditch on 16 May 2007, the death of Nepali labourer Tika Ram Balwari after being struck by a boulder in the Uri Varmul on 14 February 2008, the death of five occupants after a dump truck rolled into a deep gorge in Lower Juda More (near Kouri in Reasi district) on 18 April 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080419/j&k.htm#3#3|work=Online edition of The Tribune, dated 2008-04-18|title= Six labourers killed, 2 hurt in Reasi mishap |access-date=16 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080419/j&k.htm#3| title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Jammu & Kashmir }}</ref> and the death of two workers, Abdul Rahman (age 34) and Jumma Baksh (24) at Chenab River bridge on 27 March 2011 when the basket in which they were riding (attached to a crane) unhooked and fell over 100 metres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110328/j&k.htm#3|work=Online edition of The Tribune, dated 2011-03-27|title=2 killed at rail project site |access-date=13 August 2011}}</ref>

==Features==

The railway crosses over 750 bridges and pass through over {{convert|100|km|abbr=on}} of tunnels.<ref name=bridg1>{{cite web|url=http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/tender/annexure1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031208010318/http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/tender/annexure1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 December 2003 |work=Official webpage of the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited |title=Salient Design Features of the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges |access-date=14 August 2008 }}</ref>

=== Bridges === thumb|upright|alt=Rail bridge, photographed from the track|Rail bridge in Banihal.

Main bridges are:<ref name=printstat1/><ref name=bridg1/> * Chenab Bridge:<ref name=printstat1/> {{convert|1315|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} {{convert|11215|m|mi|abbr=on}} above the riverbed the arch bridge on the Chenab River is world's highest railway bridge as it is {{convert|35|m}} higher than the top of the Eiffel Tower.<ref name="Base"/> Design with similar structure to West Virginia's New River Gorge Bridge, the Chenab bridge construction used the weathering steel for an environmentally-friendly appearance and to also eliminate the need for painting.

* Anji Khad Bridge: {{convert|657|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} bridge {{convert|186|m|abbr=on}} above the riverbed is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge.<ref name=printstat1/>

=== Tunnels ===

* Banihal-Qazigund Railway Tunnel: 11.215-km (7-mile) long, 8.4 m wide and 7.39 m high tunnel is India longest rail tunnel in 2025, which also includes a 3 m-wide service road for maintenance and emergency use. Rail tunnel's average elevation of 1760 m is 440 m below the existing road tunnel.<ref name="usbrl.org"/> The tunnel facilitates transportation during winter (when inclement weather closes the Srinagar-Jammu highway), and halves the distance between Quazigund and Banihal (35 km by road and 17.5 km by train).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/indian-railways-pir-panjal-tunnel-kashmir-valley-asia-second-longest-tunnel-125590-2012-12-27|title=Indian Railways makes history, runs train through Asia's second longest tunnel|date=28 December 2012 }}</ref> The Banihal railway station is 1,702 m (5,584 ft) above mean sea level, and trains run from Banihal to Qazigund through the tunnel. The 5 km Banganga section was expected to be operational before the completion date of 2017–18 for the entire project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usbrl.org/curr-pcdo-jk.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2 July 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060007/http://usbrl.org/curr-pcdo-jk.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref> Built with the New Austrian tunnelling method, and a number of challenges have been encountered while tunnelling through the geologically young, unstable Sivalik Hills, requiring drastic solutions with steel arches and several feet of shotcrete and lattice girder support.

=== Gradient ===

Although the rail line is being built through a mountainous region, a one-percent ruling gradient has been set to provide a safe, smooth, reliable journey. Bank engines will not be required, making the journey quicker and smoother. It will use {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} broad gauge continuous welded rail laid on concrete sleepers, with a minimum curve radius of 676 m. The maximum speed will be {{convert|100|km/h|mph}}.<ref name="Base"/> Provision for future track doubling is made on major bridges.

===Safety===

There are Closed-circuit television cameras at major bridges, tunnels and stations, and all major bridges and tunnels are illuminated. Three-aspect colour-light signalling is installed on the route for safety, and GSM-R equipment will be installed in the future to improve its quality.

===Maintenance ===

Maintenance workshop is at Badgam, north of Srinagar. It is owned-operated by Indian Railways's Jammu Railway Division of Northern zone.<ref name=printstat1/><ref name="The Economic Times">{{Cite news|title=Centre approves Baramulla-Kupwara rail link|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/centre-approves-baramulla-kupwara-rail-link/articleshow/66868141.cms|access-date=2022-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/chenab-rail-bridge-to-be-ready-by-next-year/articleshow/77314251.cms|title=Chenab rail bridge to be ready by next year|website=The Times of India|date=2 August 2020 }}</ref>

==Construction==

The total project cost in 2022 was INR28,000 crore (~US$3.5 billion).<ref name="cost1">{{cite web|url= https://newsonair.com/2022/02/17/another-engineering-marvel-railways-making-indias-first-ever-cable-stayed-rail-bridge/ |work= NewsOnAir |title= Another Engineering marvel: Railways making India's first-ever cable-stayed rail bridge |date= 17 February 2022 | access-date= 2022-09-14}}</ref>

===Challenges=== thumb|alt=Train rounding a snowy curve|Training rounding a snow-laden curve in Qazigund.

The line was one of the most difficult rail project undertaken on the Indian subcontinent. The young Himalayas are geologically surprising and problematic.<ref name="Base"/> The track's alignment presents one of the greatest railway engineering challenges ever faced; only Tibet's Qingzang Railway, completed in 2006 across permafrost and climbing to over {{convert|5000|m|abbr=on}} above sea level, is comparable. Although the Indian temperatures are less severe, the region experiences harsh winters with heavy snowfall. In the Pir Panjal Range, most peaks exceed {{convert|15000|ft|m|abbr=on}} in height.

===Construction entities=== {{anchor|Project execution agencies}} [[File:Kashmir Valley Railway 143.jpg|thumb|alt=Long passenger train at a large station|Srinagar railway station with passenger train.]]

Indian Railways (IR) is overall responsible for the construction of {{convert|25|km|adj=on}} Udhampur-Katra section. IR's subsidiary Konkan Railway Corporation was responsible for the construction of {{convert|90|km|adj=on}} Katra-Laole section, arguably the line's most difficult portion, with over 92 percent tunnels or bridges—{{convert|12|km}} of bridges and {{convert|72|km}} of tunnels. Ircon International, a public-sector company, was responsible for the construction of {{convert|175|km|adj=on}} Dharam-Qazigund-Baramulla section and Hindustan Construction Company built the {{convert|11215|m|mi|abbr=on}} Pir Panjal tunnel on this section at the cost of ₹900 crore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hccindia.com/projects.asp?parentId=3&childId=17 |work=Official webpage of HCC |title=UDHAMPUR-SRINAGAR-BARAMULLA NEW B.G. RAILWAY LINE PROJECT:PIR PANJAR TUNNEL (ZONE VA and VB) |access-date=2 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026024145/http://www.hccindia.com/projects.asp?parentId=3&childId=17 |archive-date=26 October 2007 }}</ref> Afcons Infrastructure Limited and South Korea's Ultra Engineering designed and built the Chenab Bridge for around ₹974 crore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afcons.com/022_rail_metro.html|work=Official webpage of AFCONS|title=Bridges, Flyovers and Viaducts|access-date=23 September 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080708111142/http://www.afcons.com/022_rail_metro.html  |archive-date = 8 July 2008}}</ref> Gammon India and South Africa's Archirodon Construction built the Anji Khad Bridge for ₹745 crore.

===Phases===

The construction of railway line was divided into four phases:<ref name="Base">{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=43772&kwd=|work=Press Release, Press Information Bureau, Government of India, dated 2008-10-16|title=Train-Link for J & K Prosperity|author=Harish Kunwar|access-date=25 November 2008}}</ref>

* ''Phase-1'', operational since 2005, 53 km long from Jammu to Udhampur, was built over 21 years.<ref name="Udhampur">{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=9418|work=Press Release, Press Information Bureau, Government of India|date=13 April 2005|title=A landmark development: Jammu-Udhampur rail line|author=Harsh Bhal|access-date=13 August 2008}}</ref>

* ''Phase-2'', operational since 4 July 2014, 25 km from Udhampur to Katra,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=45390|title=Inauguration of Udhampur-Katra rail line delayed by a year|access-date=23 July 2009|archive-date=29 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929064606/http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=45390|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="leg2">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Katra-to-be-linked-by-rail-line-by-May-next-year/articleshow/2694761.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022111822/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-01-12/india/27758580_1_rail-line-katra-base-camp|url-status=live|archive-date=22 October 2012|title=Katra to be linked by rail line by May next year|access-date=26 November 2008|work=The Times of India|date=12 January 2008}}</ref> includes 7 tunnels and 30 bridges.<ref name="indiatimes1">{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/JK-Trains-to-go-up-to-Katra-from-February/articleshow/29333123.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127030747/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2014-01-25/india/46600661_1_seven-tunnels-vaishno-devi-estimated-10-million-devotees | url-status=live | archive-date=2014-01-27 | work=The Times of India | title=J&K: Trains to go up to Katra from February}}</ref>

* ''Phase-3'', operational since 13 December 2024, 111 km from Katra to Banihal, has a total of 35 tunnels (includes 27 main and 8 escape tunnels),<ref name=printstat1/> 62 bridges and a number of tunnels totalling 100 km out of total 129 km route length was most difficult section of the overall project. It required 262 km of access roads connecting 147,000 people in 73 villages; 160 km, connecting 29 villages, is completed.<ref name="usbrl.org">{{cite web|url=http://usbrl.org/aboutus.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509140742/http://usbrl.org/aboutus.php|url-status=usurped|archive-date=9 May 2011|title=Welcome to Northern Railway Construction Organization (USBRL Project), INDIA}}</ref>

* ''Phase-4'', operational since 26 June 2013, 135 km long section from Banihal to Baramulla runs across the Pir Panjal Range from Baramulla to Banihal.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=880327578480812032|user=RailMinIndia|title=2/FIVE NEW HALT STATIONS INCLUDE...|date=29 June 2017}}</ref>

==Route== {{Jammu–Baramulla line}}

This rail link makes several tourist and religious locations more easily accessible at faster travel speed and shorter travel time: Katra - the base town of the Vaishno Devi|Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, Reasi, Pahalgam, Aharbal, Gulmarg, Verinag, Qazigund, Anantnag, and Mazhom near Pattan, Dal Lake, Lolab Valley and Mughal Road.

==Train services== [[File:Kashmir railway line near Banihal railway station.jpg|thumb|alt=Station with overhead walkway and mountains in the background|Banihal railway station.]]

===Passenger services ===

Vande Bharat Express, air-conditioned, medium to long-distance train service operated by Indian Railways runs on this route.<ref name=printstat1/> The heated and air-conditioned coaches have wide windows, sliding doors, reclining seats, and a snow-cutting cattle guard is attached to the front of the train to clear snow from the tracks during winter. Due to the valley's cold climate, the 1,400-horsepower diesel engine has a heating system for quick, trouble-free starts. Coaches have a public-information system (display and announcements) and a pneumatic suspension for riding comfort. There is a compartment for the physically disabled, with wider doors.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/History_and_hope_ride_on_Kashmirs_hi-tech_train/articleshow/3584258.cms|work=Online edition of the Economic Times, dated 2008-10-11|title=History and hope ride on Kashmir's hi-tech train|access-date=11 December 2008|date=11 October 2008}} {{Dead link|date=May 2011|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>

===Freight service ===

Freight service (grain and petroleum products) run between the 10–12 daily passenger trains.

== Future extension== {{anchor | Extension | Future }}

See planned new rail lines in Jammu and Kashmir.

==Alternate connectivity==

Jammu-Baramulla line provides partial rail connectivity to Kargil and Leh, which have the following alternative existing and under-construction connectivity.

* Rail ** Bhanupli–Leh line - under-construction, via Manali, Darcha, Pangi Valley, and Meroo.

* Road ** NH-1 Uri-Leh, existing, via Baramulla, Srinagar, Drass and Kargil. ** Leh–Manali Highway, existing, via Meroo, Pangi, and Darcha.

==Present status==

* June 2025: The construction of the entire route from Jammu to Baramulla was complete and made operational when Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off a Jammu-Baramulla train on 6 June 2025,<ref name=printstat1>[https://theprint.in/india/jk-will-be-given-the-status-of-a-state-by-pm-modi-says-cm-omar-abdullah/2649525/ J&K will be given the status of a state by PM Modi, says CM Omar Abdullah], The Print, 6 Jun 2025.</ref> with future plans for several new rail lines extensions across Kashmir Valley.<ref name=printext2>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/sep/12/rail-network-in-jammu-and-kashmir-likely-to-be-extended-to-loc-2614030.html|title=Rail network in Jammu and Kashmir likely to be extended to LoC|date=12 September 2023}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20100705083200/http://www.iricen.gov.in/projects/622/DESIGN.pdf Design features of Jammu Baramulla line] *[http://www.openstreetmap.org/browse/relation/1352286 Railway Map on Openstreetmap] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110809052522/http://iricen.gov.in/IRICEN1/projects/824/ankurjain.pdf Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel T80 By N.A.T.M]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jammu-Baramulla line}} * Category:Rail transport in Jammu and Kashmir Category:Proposed railway lines in India Category:5 ft 6 in gauge railways in India Category:Transport in Baramulla Category:Transport in Jammu Category:Transport in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir Category:Transport in Srinagar Category:Transport in Udhampur