Indian Railways has initiated a comprehensive transformation of rail infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, following the inauguration of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link project, including the Chenab and Anji bridges, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025. The launch of the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar has become a vital mode of transportation, and the opening of this line has fundamentally changed the ability to maintain rail tracks in the valley.
Track maintenance in the Kashmir valley is now being carried out using modern machines, replacing earlier manual methods and significantly improving track quality. A tamping machine deployed since early June has tamped approximately 88 km of track, enhancing ballast cushion and ensuring smoother rides. Two Ballast Cleaning Machines have deep-screened around 11.5 km of track, and two additional BCMs sent in July have completed approximately 2.5 km. To support tamping and deep screening, 17 ballast rakes were unloaded from depots at Kathua, Qazigund, Madhopur, and Jind, resulting in 19,000 cu m of ballasting.
Track Recording Car and Oscillation Monitoring System runs were conducted in June and July 2025, respectively, to assess track quality and identify stretches requiring attention. These efforts have led to significant improvements in track conditions across the valley.
Nationwide, track upgradation is progressing rapidly. By early 2025, 78% of India’s tracks have been upgraded to support speeds of 110 kmph or more, compared to 39% in 2014. The total track length has increased to over 1 lakh km in 2025 from 79,342 km in 2014.
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that track quality will be improved through upgraded technology and maintenance practices. He emphasized the use of modern track fittings, track machines, ultrasound fracture detection machines, road-cum-rail vehicles, and integrated track measurement machines. Artificial intelligence will be extensively used for defect detection, which will enhance safety and substantially improve working conditions for track maintenance staff.
Alongside track upgrades, Indian Railways has initiated a new era of passenger coach maintenance and upgradation in Jammu and Kashmir. Prior to the opening of the Jammu-Srinagar rail link, DEMU and MEMU rakes in the valley could not be brought to workshops for periodic overhauling due to lack of connectivity. Maintenance was previously done by transporting bogies from Budgam to Lucknow on road trailers, which was sub-optimal. Now, for the first time, rakes from the valley are being brought to Lucknow through rail for periodic overhauling and equipping with the latest passenger amenities.
The condition of all rakes in Budgam is being improved in a timebound manner. One MEMU rake has completed POH and is operational in the valley, while another is expected to be completed by the end of July. One DEMU rake has been overhauled at Charbagh workshop, and another is undergoing POH there, expected to be completed by mid-August. One more DEMU rake is under renovation at Jalandhar shed and is expected to be operational by the end of July. Four additional DEMU rakes are planned for upgradation at Charbagh workshop and Jalandhar shed.
Upgradation works include exterior PU painting with anti-graffiti coating, fitting of bio tanks in toilets, installation of new water raising pumps, repairing and replacement of seats with polycarbonate seating, provision of new standing handles, renewal of PVC flooring, buffing of stainless steel items, repairing of windows with hopper-type fittings, ensuring proper functioning of public address and passenger information systems, provision of adequate power and automatic changeover switch panels for uninterrupted water supply, installation of A & C type mobile charging sockets with inbuilt short circuit and overload protection, modular switches for fans, and overhauling and renewal of all fans and lights.
All coach renovation and upgradation works in the Kashmir valley are scheduled for completion by August 31, 2025. Indian Railways, often referred to as the lifeline of the nation, is now poised to become a new lifeline for Jammu and Kashmir through these transformative infrastructure initiatives.
