• Source:JND
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Good news for passengers! A long-anticipated dream is finally set to become reality as Kashmir will soon be directly connected to the rest of India by train. If everything goes as planned, the first-ever direct rail service between Jammu and Srinagar is expected to start by the end of October. This will mark a huge leap forward in linking the Kashmir Valley seamlessly with the rest of the country through rail travel.

Sources told Jagran.com that this new service is a part of the ambitious 272-kilometer-long Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. Seen as a milestone development, it promises not only convenience for passengers but also greater integration of the valley with the national railway network.

Jammu Railway Station Expansion Nearing Completion

Officials have confirmed that the direct train service will be launched once the ongoing development work at Jammu railway station wraps up. The station was originally set to be ready by September, but due to delays in construction, the deadline has been pushed back by nearly three weeks.

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A senior railway official commented that final touches are being applied to the Jammu Railway Division, with construction still in progress. "Construction activities are ongoing and efforts are being made to complete the remaining work," the official stated.

Once the station's expansion is fully completed and receives the green signal, the much-awaited direct train to Srinagar will begin operations. Authorities are working against the clock to launch the service before the harsh winter sets in.

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What Makes Jammu-Srinagar Rail Service Special?

The upcoming rail service between Jammu and Srinagar comes packed with remarkable features:

- A total of 11 tunnels and 16 bridges, including the world’s highest arch bridge, the iconic Chenab Bridge.

- Plans are in place to operate the Vande Bharat Express on this route, offering a fast and comfortable travel option for people commuting between Jammu and Srinagar.

- A 12.77 km tunnel between Khari and Sumbar, as well as the T-80 tunnel, which stretches for 11.22 km and is India’s second-longest transportation tunnel.