Train connectivity is redefining tourism in Kashmir
By: Mohammad Hanief
For decades, tourists flocking to Kashmir had to rely on the twists of mountain roads or the uncertainty of air travel. Flights were expensive, buses uncomfortable, and winter snow often cut off the Valley from the rest of the country. Today, that picture is changing fast. With the completion of landmark railway projects and the launch of new train services, the paradise on earth is closer than ever — and its tourism industry is set for a transformation.
The Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) has been described as one of the most challenging railway projects in the world. Stretching 272 kilometres through the Himalayas, the line includes 36 tunnels, nearly 1,000 bridges and engineering feats that have tested the best of Indian Railways.
What once seemed like a distant dream is now reality. The commissioning of the Banihal–Sangaldan line, full electrification of Valley tracks, and the final touches on the Banihal–Katra section have brought Srinagar into the national rail map. Soon, tourists will be able to board trains from Delhi, Mumbai or Chennai and step straight into the Valley without changing modes. For the tourism sector, this is nothing short of a revolution.
The story of tourism and railways in Jammu and Kashmir begins with pilgrimage. The commissioning of the Udhampur–Katra rail link in 2014 transformed access to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, one of India’s most visited spiritual destinations.
Earlier, pilgrims had to travel by road from Jammu. Now, trains run directly into Katra station, saving hours and cutting travel fatigue. The overnight Shri Shakti Express from Delhi remains one of the busiest trains on the route. Hotels, dharamshalas, restaurants and shops in Katra have boomed since the line opened.
With tracks now pushing further into Kashmir, religious circuits are expanding. Shrines such as Hazratbal, Shankaracharya and the Amarnath cave are expected to see increased visitors once direct trains begin rolling into Srinagar. For local economies, this promises steady year-round footfall.
Kashmir has always been about landscapes. The new railway ensures that the journey itself becomes part of the experience. The Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest arch bridge, towers taller than the Eiffel Tower. The neighbouring Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, rises like a monument to modern engineering.
As trains sweep through valleys and emerge from tunnels onto sweeping bridges, passengers are treated to cinematic views — rushing rivers, pine forests, snowy peaks. Officials expect the route itself to become a tourist attraction, much like Switzerland’s Glacier Express or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Plans are afoot to introduce glass-roof coaches and special sightseeing trains, turning rail travel into a unique product for visitors.
Beyond pilgrimage and sightseeing, Kashmir is an adventure playground — skiing in Gulmarg, rafting in the Lidder, trekking in Pahalgam, camping in Sonamarg. Until now, long and unreliable road journeys kept many away.
Rail connectivity changes that. A tourist who arrives in Srinagar can take a train to Baramulla and reach Gulmarg faster. Local stations like Anantnag or Qazigund bring Pahalgam and Kokernag within easy reach. For short-stay tourists, this means more destinations in fewer days. For budget travellers, it means affordability and safety. Crucially, fewer vehicles on mountain roads also reduces pollution and congestion. For a fragile ecosystem, this is an added bonus.
Railways don’t just move people — they connect cultures. With Kashmir plugged into the national grid, new circuits are emerging. A tourist can now plan a journey from Amritsar’s Golden Temple to Vaishno Devi in Katra and onward to Gulmarg’s ski slopes — all by train.
Inside the Valley, smaller towns are set to benefit. Baramulla, Sopore, Budgam and Sangaldan, often bypassed by road tourists, will now find themselves on itineraries. This creates scope for homestays, handicraft sales and local food ventures, spreading the economic benefits of tourism beyond Srinagar and Gulmarg.
The hospitality sector is already feeling the momentum. Hotel owners in Katra, Banihal and Srinagar report rising bookings. Houseboat operators on Dal Lake see potential in rail tourists arriving in larger numbers. Handicraft sellers — of carpets, shawls, papier-mâché and walnut woodwork — expect better sales as footfall increases.
Railways are also building goods terminals across the new Jammu Railway Division. This means that not only tourists, but also Kashmiri apples, saffron and flowers can travel faster to markets. Agro-tourism — orchard visits, farm stays, local tasting tours — could ride the same wave.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, key stations like Jammu Tawi, Budgam, Udhampur and Katra are being redeveloped with modern facilities. These will not just be transit points but gateways — complete with lounges, food courts, tourist information centres and retail outlets for local crafts.
Once fully upgraded, Srinagar station could become a tourism hub in itself, offering package bookings, cultural showcases and easy connections to taxis and buses heading to different corners of the Valley.
But the promise comes with challenges. Tourism in Kashmir is seasonal, peaking in summers and winters. Railways will have to manage surges during the Amarnath Yatra or Christmas–New Year ski season. Safety in high-altitude stretches, snow clearance, and earthquake-proofing will be constant concerns.
There is also the bigger question: can Kashmir handle the numbers? More visitors mean more pressure on Dal Lake, Pahalgam meadows and Gulmarg slopes. Experts caution that sustainability must be central — with strict waste management, promotion of offbeat destinations, and eco-tourism practices to prevent environmental stress.
Despite the hurdles, few doubt the scale of change underway. In the last decade alone, Jammu and Kashmir has gone from being a region largely dependent on road and air travel to one with some of the most spectacular railway infrastructure in the world.
For pilgrims, tourists, and adventurers, the Valley is now within easier reach than ever before. For locals, it is a promise of new livelihoods and markets. And for India, it is proof that determined engineering can unlock the potential of even the toughest terrains.
As the first Vande Bharat Express glides over the Chenab Bridge into Srinagar, it will not just carry passengers. It will carry with it the hopes of a tourism industry entering a new era — faster, broader, and more inclusive than ever before.
(The author is a senior analyst in Srinagar, Kashmir)
