SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a major expansion of its transport infrastructure, with railway links, highways, tunnels, airport upgrades and freight terminals aimed at improving year-round connectivity, facilitating trade and strengthening tourism, according to a report released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Saturday.
The report, titled Connecting Kashmir: Building the Infrastructure for Growth, highlights projects including the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), the Chenab Rail Bridge, the Sonamarg and Zojila tunnels, and the proposed expansion of Srinagar International Airport. It presents these projects as part of a broader effort to improve access to markets, reduce travel time and strengthen economic links between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country.
Rail connectivity transforms access to Kashmir
The 272-km USBRL project, constructed at a cost of Rs 43,780 crore, has connected the Kashmir Valley to India’s railway network. The project passes through Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla districts.
According to the report, the railway line includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges. The project has also generated more than five crore man-days of employment during its construction.
The Chenab Rail Bridge in Reasi district, inaugurated in June 2025, is the world’s highest railway arch bridge. Measuring 1,315 metres in length, it rises 359 metres above the riverbed. The report notes that the bridge has been designed to withstand strong winds and seismic activity in the Himalayan region.
Another major structure is the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. Located in Reasi district, it has a 193-metre-high tower and a main bridge length of 473.25 metres.
The project also includes Tunnel T50, a 12.77-km railway tunnel connecting Khari and Sumber. Equipped with a parallel escape tunnel and monitoring systems, it addresses safety and engineering challenges associated with the region’s difficult geological conditions.
Passenger connectivity has also improved with the introduction of Vande Bharat Express services between Srinagar and Jammu. The service, which began operating between Katra and Srinagar in June 2025, was extended to Jammu Tawi in April 2026. The journey between Jammu and Srinagar now takes less than five hours, according to the report. The trains have been expanded from eight to 20 coaches and adapted for operation in extreme weather conditions.
Tunnels aimed at improving all-weather road access
Road infrastructure remains crucial for connecting areas beyond the railway network, particularly remote settlements and border regions that face seasonal disruptions.
The 6.4-km Sonamarg tunnel, also known as the Z-Morh tunnel, was inaugurated in January 2025 at a cost of more than Rs 2,700 crore. It provides all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, bypassing stretches vulnerable to avalanches and landslides.
The Zojila Tunnel, being constructed between Baltal and Minamarg on National Highway-1, is another major project. The 13.153-km tunnel, estimated to cost Rs 6,808 crore, achieved its main tunnel breakthrough in June 2026.
Once completed, the project is expected to reduce travel time between Sonamarg and Minamarg from around two hours to approximately 30 minutes. It is also expected to improve access to Ladakh during winter, when heavy snowfall and avalanches frequently disrupt traffic across Zojila Pass.
The project includes ventilation, fire detection and suppression systems, CCTV surveillance and other traffic management facilities, alongside structures designed to mitigate avalanche-related risks.
The report also highlights the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel, formerly known as the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel. Opened in 2017, the 9-km highway tunnel has reduced travel distance and journey time between Udhampur and Ramban.
Highway expansion to support regional mobility
Several highway projects are expected to strengthen connectivity for residents, tourists and businesses.
The 667-km Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway is designed to provide a faster road connection between Delhi, Amritsar and Katra. Key sections were inaugurated in July 2026, with completed stretches expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Katra from about 14 hours to nearly six hours.
The Rafiabad-Kupwara road widening project on National Highway-701 is intended to improve access to border areas, while the 8.925-km Shopian bypass, sanctioned at Rs 224.44 crore, is expected to improve connectivity between Shopian, Pulwama and Kulgam and facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV, foundation stones were laid in August 2026 for 110 road projects covering 598.455 km. Estimated to cost more than Rs 1,500 crore, the projects are expected to benefit 46,972 people across the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda-Kishtwar region. Some projects also incorporate waste plastics in road construction.
Airport expansion and regional aviation
The report outlines a proposed Rs 1,677-crore expansion of Srinagar International Airport, approved in February 2026.
The project includes a new 71,500-square-metre terminal designed to handle up to 2,900 passengers during peak hours and 10 million passengers annually. Plans also include 15 aircraft parking bays and a multi-level parking facility with space for 1,000 cars.
The new terminal is expected to incorporate elements of Kashmir’s traditional architecture, including local woodwork, alongside sustainability measures such as rainwater harvesting, greater use of natural light and environmentally friendly construction materials.
Regional aviation plans include proposed airports at Udhampur and Kishtwar under the UDAN scheme, aimed at extending air connectivity to areas beyond the region’s major urban centres.
Freight infrastructure to connect farmers with markets
The PIB report also highlights efforts to integrate transport networks with logistics infrastructure. Under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, launched in October 2021, infrastructure planning across ministries and Union Territories is coordinated through a geographic information system-based platform.
A Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal commissioned at Samba in 2024 is operational. In-principle approvals have also been granted for three additional terminals in Kathua, Anantnag and Jammu districts.
Such facilities are intended to improve the movement of goods by rail and support sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, cement and logistics.
Improved connectivity could help farmers and businesses transport apples, dry fruits, saffron, pashmina shawls and handicrafts to markets outside the region. Better transport links may also support tourism, create employment opportunities and improve access to essential services in remote areas.
The report presents rail, road and aviation projects as complementary parts of an expanding transport network. Their long-term economic impact, however, will depend on reliable operations, effective logistics, maintenance and the ability of local producers and businesses to take advantage of improved access to markets.