Inside Kashmir’s Local Train, Where the Valley Rides Together
Inside
Kashmir’s Local Train,
Where
the Valley Rides Together
Peerzada Mohsin Shafi
Fast forward to 2025 and the Valley now witnesses regular train services from Baramulla to Sangaldan. This development is part of the larger Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, one of the most challenging and strategically significant railway projects undertaken by the Union Government. Recently, the Central Government announced that the USBRL project has entered its final stage with full-scale train operations from Jammu to Baramulla expected to commence soon. This will mark the completion of a long-awaited direct railway link between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley, a dream several decades in the making.
Beyond this historic milestone, plans are already underway to extend rail connectivity to more remote and underserved areas. The central government has given the green light for new railway tracks that will connect Kupwara in north Kashmir, and proposals are being developed to link Anantnag with the famed tourist destination of Pahalgam. These expansions are not just infrastructural feats, they are powerful statements of inclusion and development. In the coming years with railway lines stretching across the entire Valley, residents of even the most remote corners of Kashmir will have access to affordable, safe, and reliable transportation.
The introduction and gradual expansion of railway services in the region have brought a wave of positive change for local populations. For thousands of daily commuters, students and professionals, trains offer a significantly cheaper and faster mode of transport compared to traditional road travel. Where long hours and costly journeys were once the norm, train travel now provides a time-saving and budget-friendly alternative that fits the needs of a growing, mobile population.
Beyond convenience, the trains have become engines of economic growth. Areas surrounding railway stations have seen a notable rise in commercial activity. Small businesses including tea stalls, snack shops, guest houses, and local retail outlets have sprung up to cater to the increasing footfall. Many locals have found employment either directly with the railway or in services and businesses that depend on it. The improved connectivity has also encouraged construction and real estate development in previously less accessible areas. Roads have been improved, new houses are being built, and land once considered barren is being put to productive use, all thanks to the reach and reliability of the rail network.
As someone who frequently travels by train in the Valley, I have come to appreciate not just the infrastructural or economic aspects of this transformation, but the subtle social shifts it has inspired. Trains are public spaces unlike any other in Kashmir. They bring together people from different religions, backgrounds, and regions offering a unique space for interaction that transcends the barriers often seen in day-to-day life. It is not uncommon to see Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs sharing seats, engaging in conversation, and exchanging ideas during their journey. There is a quiet harmony that unfolds within these compartments, a reflection of the unity and shared aspirations of the people.
The train coaches are also filled with the vibrant energy of Kashmir’s local culture. Vendors board the train selling seasonal fruits, local delicacies, and handcrafted items like shawls and woolens, depending on the time of year. The sounds of everyday life, children chatting, elders discussing news, students revising for exams merge with the rhythmic hum of the train as it winds through valleys, tunnels, and over bridges. These small scenes of daily life may seem ordinary, but collectively they represent something deeply significant: a community in motion, connected not just by steel tracks, but by shared experiences.
Another notable effect of railway expansion has been the impact on road transport. As trains provide a cheaper and often more comfortable option, competition has led to a noticeable reduction in road fare prices. This has further improved mobility for those who still rely on buses and shared taxis, making transportation more accessible for everyone.
The final leg of the USBRL project and the proposed extensions to Kupwara and Pahalgam signal more than just engineering achievements. They represent a broader vision of progress one that includes every region, every community, and every citizen. As Kashmir becomes more integrated with the rest of the country through this railway network, opportunities for trade, tourism, education and employment are set to multiply. The journey of a train is not just a physical passage across terrain it is also a symbol of how far the region has come and the promise of where it is headed.
In essence, the train has become more than just a mode of transport for Kashmir. It is a symbol of development, unity, and shared hope. With every station built and every journey completed, the Valley moves one step closer to a future marked by connectivity, opportunity and peace.
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