Completion of Udhampur-Srinagar rail link to boost Kashmir apple trade and tourism

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project in India has reached 100% completion, marking a significant development for the region’s apple industry. Stakeholders anticipate that the new railway stations in Kashmir will facilitate a more efficient connection to national markets, potentially enhancing the apple trade’s profitability by reducing transit times and costs. Despite this, local transport sectors have voiced concerns over potential impacts.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the project’s completion, highlighting the successful installation of a ballastless track in Tunnel T-33, which is crucial for connecting Katra to Reasi. This development is poised to initiate inspections and trial runs, focusing on track safety, electrification, and structural integrity.

Azhar Hussain, an apple industry entrepreneur from Anantnag, emphasized the rail link’s potential to expedite deliveries, improve product shelf life, and offer competitive pricing, thereby enhancing farmer profits and ensuring product quality. Similarly, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union, stated that the train service would bolster market accessibility for fruit growers, thereby increasing their income and positively impacting the local economy by reducing transportation costs and delivering fresher produce to consumers.

Furthermore, Manzoor Pakhtoon from the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and the Houseboat Association noted the rail link’s benefits for the tourism sector, making Kashmir more accessible to domestic tourists and students, thus promoting general trade and domestic tourism. He highlighted Kashmir’s global appeal, suggesting that the rail service could make the dream of visiting Kashmir more attainable for many.

Source: Kashmir Despatch

Publication date:

Thu 19 Dec 2024

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