The railway history of Jammu & Kashmir is currently entering a new and exciting chapter. Indian Railways has initiated a major project to improve train travel in the region. From new high-tech machines that fix tracks to upgraded train coaches with modern facilities, a lot is changing, and all for the better.
Jammu & Kashmir Railway Network Transformed
The first step towards better train connectivity was taken on June 6, 2025, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link. This new route connects the Kashmir Valley directly to the rest of India through a continuous railway line.
Railway tracks in the Kashmir Valley were maintained using manual labour until recently. But not anymore; Indian Railways has introduced modern machines that can do the job more efficiently and safely. A tamping machine packs stones (called ballast) underneath the tracks to make them firm and stable.
Four Ballast Cleaning Machines (BCMs) are now being used, DD News reported. These machines clean the stones under the tracks to make the train ride smoother. So far, they’ve cleaned 14 kilometres of track. To support all this, 17 trains carrying stone chips have delivered about 19,000 cubic metres of ballast to the valley from places like Kathua, Qazigund, Madhopur, and Jind. All these efforts mean the Jammu & Kashmir railway tracks are now cleaner, stronger, and much more reliable.
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Modern Track Maintenance And Coach Overhaul Underway
To make sure the tracks are in top condition, Indian Railways ran Track Recording Cars and Oscillation Monitoring Systems in June and July. These tools help detect small issues that can be fixed before they turn into big problems. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that technology is playing a big role in making trains safer and improving working conditions for staff.
These upgrades are already showing results. According to DD News, in 2025, 78% of Indian railway tracks can support speeds of 110 kmph or more, compared to just 39% in 2014. The train coaches upgrades include features like new PVC flooring, bio-toilets with better water pumps, remodelled polycarbonate seats, and graffiti-resistant PU paint.
Passengers will also appreciate new additions like stainless steel fixtures, updated hopper windows for better ventilation, functional passenger information systems, extra mobile phone charging ports, and more. All of this is anticipated to be finished by August 31, 2025.
The railway journey in Jammu & Kashmir is becoming safer, faster, and more comfortable.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Gannu03
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