New Delhi, July 27:The Indian Railways has announced that the renovation and upgradation of all passenger coaches operating in the Kashmir Valley will be completed by August 31, 2025, marking a major step in enhancing rail services in the region.
The Ministry of Railways, in a statement released on Sunday, emphasized that this development, along with the operationalization of the Jammu-Srinagar rail link, will serve as a new lifeline for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, which includes the iconic Chenab and Anji bridges, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025. This project marks a historic achievement in connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the Indian Railways network.
The introduction of the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar has already become a vital mode of transportation for the region. Until recently, Kashmir’s DEMU/MEMU trains lacked access to workshops for regular maintenance due to the valley’s isolation from the national railway grid. “With the new railway link operational, track maintenance has undergone a transformation. Modern track machines have replaced manual efforts, significantly improving track quality in the valley,” the ministry stated.
The railway ministry also highlighted its nationwide efforts to upgrade infrastructure. As of early 2025, around 78% of India’s railway tracks now support speeds of 110 kmph or more, a sharp increase from just 39% in 2014.
The total length of the railway network has also expanded significantly, from 79,342 km in 2014 to over 1 lakh km in 2025.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw affirmed that a modernization drive is underway to improve track safety and maintenance. “We are upgrading track technology and introducing modern equipment such as ultrasound-based fracture detection machines, road-cum-rail vehicles, and integrated track measurement systems,” Vaishnaw said.
He also revealed plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence into defect detection systems, which will not only enhance operational safety but also significantly improve working conditions for railway maintenance personnel