Kashmir rail link completed via Chenab and Anji Khad bridges

The completion of the Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge has established all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley via the 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link. This infrastructure integrates the region with India's national railway network, overcoming significant geographical obstacles in the Pir Panjal range, including high mountain ranges, gorges, and rivers.

The new link is expected to significantly impact regional trade. Kashmiri horticultural products, such as apples, cherries, and dry fruits, can now reach major markets like Delhi and Mumbai more quickly. Conversely, essential goods including cement, automobiles, foodgrains, fertilizers, and milk can be transported into the Valley with greater efficiency.

Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek noted that while a rail line previously existed, a critical 111-km stretch between Banihal and Katra had been missing due to the difficult terrain. Passengers on the Vande Bharat Express have already begun using the route, praising the engineering and the speed of the project's completion.