Surveys begin for new J&K rail lines; DPR for Jalandhar-Jammu third line complete
Jammu & Kashmir's rail connectivity is set to expand, with the Union government moving forward on several key projects. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday that field surveys are underway for two new rail lines, while planning for a third line has reached an advanced stage.
Mr. Vaishnaw said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed 216-km third line between Jalandhar Cantonment and Jammu Tawi has been completed. This line is expected to ease congestion on the existing route and improve freight and passenger movement. For the 78-km Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra line and the 190-km Jammu/Reasi-Poonch new line, Additional Final Location Survey sanctions have been granted, and field surveys are being conducted to prepare DPRs.
The Minister noted that fixing timelines for these projects is difficult due to the mandatory consultation process. "After preparation of DPR, project requires consultation with various stakeholders including State governments and necessary approvals like appraisal of NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance etc. As consultation with stakeholders is a continuous and dynamic process, exact timelines cannot be fixed," he said.
Mr. Vaishnaw also highlighted the impact of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a 272-km project that traverses Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, and Baramulla. The line cuts travel time between Srinagar and Katra by up to three hours compared with road travel, making journeys faster and more reliable.
Beyond passenger convenience, the rail link has opened up economic opportunities. According to the Minister, local producers now have direct access to the national market, benefiting signature Kashmiri exports such as apples, dry fruits, Pashmina shawls, and handicrafts. The improved connectivity has also strengthened supply chains for small and medium enterprises in the region.
To further bolster trade, Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals are being set up. A terminal has already been commissioned in Samba district, and in-principle approvals have been granted for additional terminals in Kathua, Anantnag, and Jammu.
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is driving a major upgrade of railway stations in J&K. Four stations — Budgam, Jammu Tawi, Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra — are currently undergoing redevelopment. At Budgam, improvements to the circulating area, parking, and approach road are complete, while work on a 12-metre-wide foot overbridge, station building upgrades, and a new waiting and executive lounge with booking counters is in progress.
At Jammu Tawi, a new station building at the second entry, along with circulating area, parking, new platforms, platform shelter, electrical sub-station, and entrance ramp, has been completed. The next phase involves dismantling the old station building at the main entrance and constructing foot overbridges and an air concourse. At Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan station, the station building, circulating area, parking, approach road, toilets, waiting rooms, entrance porch, and signage have been upgraded, and work on the platform shelter, platform surface, and a foot overbridge is underway.
On the financial front, J&K falls under Northern Railway, which has received a total allocation of ₹7,944 crore over the past five financial years and the current financial year. As of June 2026, ₹5,622 crore of this amount has been spent, Mr. Vaishnaw said.
