NEW DELHI, Jul 27: The Indian Railways on Sunday announced that the upgradation of all passenger coaches in the Kashmir Valley will be completed by August 31, ensuring that all rakes currently in service are fully renovated within the stipulated timeline.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Railways said the move, along with the completion of the Jammu-Srinagar rail link, will act as a new lifeline for Jammu and Kashmir, improving connectivity and quality of services.
The development comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, including the iconic Chenab and Anji bridges, on June 6, 2025, marking a historic milestone in bridging Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country.
The launch of the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar has further revolutionised passenger movement, becoming a vital mode of travel on the newly linked route.
Earlier, due to the lack of connectivity, DEMU/MEMU rakes in Kashmir could not be sent to workshops outside the Valley for periodic maintenance and upgrades. With the new link operational, modern track maintenance machines can now be transported to the region, replacing earlier manual methods and leading to notable improvement in track quality, the ministry noted.
Highlighting the nationwide efforts, the ministry said that by early 2025, 78% of India’s rail tracks have been upgraded to support speeds of 110 kmph or more, up from just 39% in 2014. The total length of tracks has also increased from 79,342 km in 2014 to over 1 lakh km in 2025.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised a shift towards modern track technology, including track machines, ultrasonic fracture detection, integrated measurement systems, and AI-based defect detection, ensuring scientific and efficient maintenance.
“These technological changes will significantly improve the working conditions for our track maintenance staff and enhance passenger safety and comfort,” Vaishnaw stated.
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