The Centre is fast-tracking a project to connect Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country by rail, which will enable trains to operate between New Delhi and Srinagar in 14 hours. The railway line, which could become functional in four years, is seen as a big development push by the Narendra Modi government in the Valley.
Costing over 40,000 crore rupees, it will provide all-weather connectivity and will be a cornerstone of the government’s outreach programme in the state. The Katra-Banihal section project is considered the toughest in the country’s engineering history and involves the construction of 27 bridges, including the tallest rail bridge in the world, and 37 tunnels, one of which is the longest in Asia at more than 12 km.