A new milestone in connectivity has emerged, and it’s good news for Delhiites with wanderlust or roots in Kashmir. The recent commissioning of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) has finally stitched together Kashmir and the rest of the country through a working railway network. For those of us in New Delhi, whether we love exploring mountain landscapes or have family and history in the Valley, this is more than just a transport update — it’s a bridge to a region many hold close to heart.
The completion of the USBRL project’s 272-kilometre stretch means Delhiites can now imagine a future where reaching Baramulla could be as natural as a train ride to Dehradun or Amritsar. The freshly conducted survey for the Baramulla-Uri extension and the doubling of the Banihal-Baramulla section, backed by a Detailed Project Report (DPR), show that the government is moving thoughtfully and steadily toward deeper integration.
What does this mean for us in Delhi? First, more accessible travel options to North India’s most admired paradise. Imagine being able to board a train and roll past valleys, tunnels, rivers, and snow-capped peaks all the way to Srinagar — no layovers, no flight delays. For frequent travellers or students from Kashmir who live in Delhi, this smoother connectivity could feel like a small but meaningful comfort. And for local businesses in Delhi dealing in tourism or Kashmiri goods, this is a direct corridor for greater cultural and economic exchange.
Of course, there’s something poetic too — the idea of train tracks winding gently into the hills, linking a modern city with a timeless land. Cities like Delhi tend to pull everything toward the centre, but with improved transport to Kashmir, we’re also reaching outward, inviting dialogue between places as different as Daryaganj and Gulmarg.
As the line inches closer to Uri, the anticipation grows. These developments remind us how physical routes can create emotional and social bridges too. Perhaps this winter or spring, we Delhi folks can consider a new itinerary — one that starts from Hazrat Nizamuddin and ends with a kahwa in hand, snow outside the window.
Let’s keep an eye on those rail maps — the next great escape may now begin at a station near you.
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