In the heart of the Himalayas, where majestic peaks and verdant valleys frame centuries-old traditions, a quiet revolution is underway. The clatter of wheels on steel tracks—long missing from Kashmir’s economic story—is now emerging as a powerful catalyst for business, trade, and entrepreneurship.
With the Indian Railways intensifying efforts to expand and upgrade services in the Valley, particularly through the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), Kashmir is on the cusp of an economic transformation. The push for enhanced train connectivity is not only bridging geographical gaps—it is opening up untapped markets, reducing costs, and reviving hope for sustainable development in the region.
Kashmir has long remained one of the few regions in India without a fully integrated railway link to the national network. While intra-Valley rail services between Baramulla and Banihal have been operational for over a decade, the missing link to the Jammu region—and by extension, the rest of India—posed a serious bottleneck to trade and mobility.
That gap is now closing, with the USBRL project in its final phase. Spanning 272 kilometers of some of the most challenging terrain in the world, the rail line features the Chenab Bridge—the world’s highest railway arch—and multiple tunnels through the Pir Panjal range. Once fully operational, this engineering marvel will reduce dependence on the often-treacherous Jammu-Srinagar highway and cut travel time drastically.
The enhanced rail connectivity has already begun to bear fruit for Kashmir’s core industries, particularly horticulture, handicrafts, and small-scale trade.
In Sopore, often dubbed the ‘apple bowl of Asia,’ traders are enthusiastic about the prospect of exporting fresh produce to metropolitan markets with greater speed and lower cost. “Earlier, transporting apples to Delhi or Mumbai by road took over a week and involved high freight charges. Trains are faster and cheaper—and more reliable during bad weather,” says Mohammad Yousuf, a second-generation fruit exporter.
Similarly, artisans who create globally admired pashmina shawls, walnut wood carvings, and Kashmiri carpets are finding it easier to send their goods to major cities. With lower logistical overhead, small business owners are now exploring national and international e-commerce platforms, expanding their market reach like never before.
Kashmir’s stunning landscapes have always drawn tourists from across India and abroad. However, poor road infrastructure and unpredictable weather often made travel to the region cumbersome. With train services expanding, that barrier is fading.
Rail travel to destinations like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg has become more convenient, particularly for middle-class families and senior citizens seeking affordable and safe alternatives to road travel. Local tourism operators report an uptick in domestic visitors arriving by train, particularly from Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.
“The train has made Kashmir more accessible. Group tours, weekend getaways, and even pilgrimage circuits are being reimagined around rail schedules,” says Manzoor Ahmad, a tourism entrepreneur based in Srinagar.
In response, the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department is actively working to develop rail-linked tourism hubs. Plans include setting up eco-parks near stations, promoting homestays, and integrating local crafts and cuisine into the tourist experience.
The ripple effect of improved rail services extends beyond commerce and tourism. Crucially, it is helping to address one of Kashmir’s most pressing challenges: unemployment.
Railway expansion and station modernization projects are generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs—from construction workers and engineers to hospitality staff and vendors. Moreover, the emergence of commercial zones around new railway stations is creating opportunities in retail, logistics, and real estate.
Despite these gains, the road ahead is not without challenges. Terrain-related disruptions—such as landslides and heavy snowfall—can still affect rail schedules. Security remains a concern in certain pockets. Moreover, the lack of cold storage and logistics hubs near many stations continues to hinder the full-scale utilization of rail for freight transport.
To address these gaps, experts are advocating a multi-tiered strategy like improved road infrastructure to and from stations will be critical. Building temperature-controlled storage facilities can vastly improve the horticulture sector’s export capabilities. Establishing freight corridors and warehousing hubs alongside passenger services will boost efficiency. Ensuring that local voices shape railway-area development can ensure inclusive growth and prevent displacement or alienation.
The government has emphasized railway development in Kashmir as part of its broader infrastructure push. The Ministry of Railways has not only committed to finishing the USBRL by 2025 but is also exploring the extension of semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains into the Valley.
Electrification of rail lines in Kashmir is also underway, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiency. Public-private partnerships are being encouraged to build world-class stations with modern amenities, business centers, and cultural displays that reflect the Valley’s heritage.
Among the general public, the sentiment around trains is deeply optimistic. For decades, Kashmiris felt physically and economically disconnected from the rest of India. Now, that narrative is shifting.
The sight of students, laborers, tourists, and traders boarding sleek, modern trains from stations nestled in snow-covered valleys is becoming an everyday reality. And with it, the vision of a vibrant, connected, and economically empowered Kashmir draws closer.
Kashmir’s railway renaissance is more than just a transport story—it is a business story, a youth story, and a human story. As the Valley steps onto the tracks of progress, it carries with it the dreams of a people long constrained by conflict and distance.
If nurtured with care, vision, and inclusivity, the push for train services could be the single most transformative economic development in Kashmir in decades. The journey has just begun—but the destination looks promising.
Beyond direct economic impact, expanded train services are creating new employment opportunities for Kashmiri youth. Railway stations and associated logistics hubs are generating demand for a variety of roles—from ticketing and maintenance to warehousing and security.
Moreover, the infrastructure boom accompanying the railway push has spurred demand in the construction sector, hospitality, and retail. Real estate values near railway stations are soaring, and new commercial hubs are sprouting around them.
Indeed, as Kashmir inches closer to being fully connected by rail, its people are discovering new aspirations. For businesses small and large, the iron tracks cutting through the mountains are fast becoming the arteries of progress.
In the end, the success of the railway push in Kashmir will depend not just on steel and stone but on vision and vigilance. With the right policies, inclusive development, and continuous investment, the railways can truly be the engine of economic resurgence in the Valley.
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Twitter/ X: @haniefmha
