India on Friday inaugurated a new railway line connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country, marking the completion of a decades-long infrastructure project through some of the world’s most difficult terrain.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the launch of the 170-mile Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, built at a cost of $4.4 billion. The project features one of the world’s highest railway bridges and a nearly seven-mile tunnel through the Pir Panjal mountains.
Officials described the railway as a vital step toward economic growth and regional integration. Until now, Kashmir’s only land route was a road often blocked by snow in winter. But many Kashmiris say the project serves more as a symbol of New Delhi’s authority than local development.
The train line’s opening was delayed multiple times, including after a terrorist attack in April triggered renewed India-Pakistan tensions. The route currently includes security-related detours that require passengers to disembark in Katra for checks before continuing toward Delhi, adding time to the journey.
While business owners and tourism operators see opportunity in the increased access, others remain skeptical. The lack of freight services, which are still in planning stages, has disappointed apple growers who hoped for faster transport of produce.
Construction of the railway, which began in the early 2000s, has displaced families and razed farmland. Compensation has been uneven, with some landowners still awaiting payment.
Concerns over construction safety in this seismically active region have also been raised by engineers, though officials say the project meets safety standards.
The rail link is seen by critics as the latest move by the Indian government to consolidate power in Kashmir, following the region’s loss of autonomy in 2019 and years of heightened military presence.