Katra-Srinagar travel time cut to around three hours; railway connectivity expected to support tourism, local products, hospitality and SME growth across J&K

New Delhi, August 7, 2026: The commissioning of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is set to reshape connectivity to Kashmir, with the government highlighting its potential to boost tourism, open wider markets for local products and strengthen opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses in Jammu & Kashmir.

According to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the all-weather rail link has reduced the travel time between Katra and Srinagar to around three hours, providing a faster and more reliable connection between the Kashmir Valley and the wider Indian railway network.

The development is particularly significant for the travel and hospitality sector, as improved accessibility can support tourist movement into the Valley while making destinations and local experiences more accessible to travellers from across India.

Key Highlights

• 272-km USBRL project commissioned, connecting Kashmir with the national railway network.
• Katra-Srinagar travel time reduced to about three hours.
• Rail connectivity expected to provide a boost to J&K tourism.
• Farmers and local businesses can access wider markets for apples, dry fruits, pashmina shawls and handicrafts.
• One Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) has been commissioned in Samba.
• GCTs have received in-principle approval for Kathua, Anantnag and Jammu.
• Final Location Survey sanctioned for the proposed 190-km Jammu/Reasi-Poonch new railway line.
• Four Vande Bharat services currently serve key stations in J&K, including Jammu Tawi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra.
• Four more train-service extensions have been undertaken towards MCTM Udhampur.
• Four J&K railway stations are being developed under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

Faster Access Could Give Kashmir Tourism a Further Lift

The USBRL provides an all-weather rail connection through some of the most challenging Himalayan terrain in the country. The project includes the 1,315-metre Chenab Bridge, described by the government as the world’s highest railway bridge, and the 473-metre Anji Khad cable-stayed bridge.

For the tourism industry, however, the most immediate significance is improved accessibility.

The reduction in travel time between Katra and Srinagar to approximately three hours could make rail a more attractive option for visitors travelling between Jammu, Vaishno Devi and Kashmir.

For hotels, homestays, restaurants, tour operators, destination-management companies and other tourism businesses, improved connectivity can potentially widen the catchment of travellers visiting the Valley.

The government has specifically linked the commissioning of USBRL with a likely boost to tourism in the region.

Kashmir’s Apples, Dry Fruits and Handicrafts Get Wider Market Access

The impact of the railway project extends beyond passenger movement.

The integration of the Kashmir Valley with the wider railway network is expected to facilitate the movement of raw materials and finished products, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

Farmers and local businesses can now access markets outside the region for products including:

• Apples
• Dry fruits
• Pashmina shawls
• Handicrafts

For the hospitality and tourism ecosystem, this creates another important connection between transport infrastructure and local commerce. Greater market access for regional products can support their availability across national markets and strengthen the role of local food, craft and cultural products in the visitor economy.

Gati Shakti Cargo Network Expands in J&K

Railways is also expanding freight infrastructure in the region through its Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) policy.

A GCT has been commissioned in Samba district, while in-principle approvals have been granted for three additional terminals in Kathua, Anantnag and Jammu.

Across India, 142 GCTs have been commissioned with an estimated combined freight-handling capacity of 224 million tonnes per annum. The government said these terminals have mobilised approximately ₹10,000 crore in private investment, with 146 million tonnes of freight handled during 2025-26.

For J&K, the expansion of cargo infrastructure could improve the movement of agricultural produce, manufactured goods and other regional products, complementing the passenger connectivity created by USBRL.

More Railway Stations Set for Redevelopment

Four stations in Jammu & Kashmir have been identified under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme:

• Budgam
• Jammu Tawi
• Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan
• Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra

The scheme covers station redevelopment, improved passenger circulation, waiting areas, toilets, parking, lifts and escalators, foot overbridges, platform improvements and better passenger information systems.

It also provides for kiosks for local products under the One Station One Product initiative, creating a potential retail opportunity for regional food, handicrafts and other locally produced goods within railway stations.

Jammu Tawi

At Jammu Tawi, work has progressed on a new station building at the second entry, circulating areas, parking, platforms, platform shelters and other infrastructure. Work on the main entry, foot overbridges and air concourse is also underway.

Budgam

At Budgam, improvements to the circulating area, parking and approach road have been completed. Work is underway on a wider foot overbridge, station building improvements and a new waiting and executive lounge.

Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan

Improvements to the station building, parking, approach road, toilets, waiting rooms, entrance porch and signage have been completed, while platform and foot-overbridge works are underway.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra

The station remains at the master-planning stage.

Rail Connectivity Expands Across Key Tourist Gateways

Railways currently operates four pairs of Vande Bharat services serving important stations in J&K, including Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar.

These include:

• Amritsar–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat
• Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat
• New Delhi–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Vande Bharat

Railways has also decided to introduce a Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Badgam Express service.

Services have additionally been extended towards MCTM Udhampur, including the Durg–Udhampur, Indore–Udhampur and another Durg–Udhampur service.

According to the government, Jammu Tawi is currently served by 114 train services, while MCTM Udhampur has 58, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra 46, Srinagar 16 and Budgam 19.

Jammu-Reasi-Poonch Rail Link Also Under Survey

Rail connectivity in the region could expand further, with a Final Location Survey sanctioned for the proposed 190-km Jammu/Reasi-Poonch new railway line.

The survey is being undertaken for preparation of a Detailed Project Report. The government clarified that timelines for further development will depend on stakeholder consultations and subsequent approvals.

The proposed line could become another important piece of transport infrastructure for the Jammu region, although its eventual implementation remains subject to the required approvals.

What This Means for Hospitality and Travel

For the hospitality industry, the USBRL story is ultimately about accessibility.

A faster and more reliable connection to Kashmir can potentially make short-break and leisure travel more convenient, while stronger rail links between Jammu, Katra and the Valley can improve the movement of tourists through multiple destinations.

The impact could extend across the tourism value chain—from hotels and homestays to restaurants, tour operators, transport providers, attractions and local retailers.

The improved movement of Kashmir’s agricultural and artisanal products also creates opportunities for the wider food and hospitality ecosystem to showcase regional produce and products beyond J&K.

The combination of passenger rail, cargo terminals, station redevelopment and local-product retail suggests that the railway expansion is becoming more than a connectivity project. For Kashmir’s tourism economy, it could become an important piece of the infrastructure supporting the movement of people, products and spending.

The information was provided by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw in a reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on August 7, 2026.