Will the Upgradation of Passenger Coaches in Kashmir Valley be Completed by August 31?

New Delhi, July 27 (NationPress) The upgradation of passenger coaches in the Kashmir Valley is set to be finalized by August 31, with all rakes currently in service scheduled for renovation and enhancement during this period, as stated by Indian Railways on Sunday.

The commencement of the Jammu-Srinagar rail line along with the ongoing upgrade initiatives is expected to serve as a new lifeline for Jammu and Kashmir, according to a statement from the Ministry of Railways.

On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link project featuring the Chenab and Anji bridges, marking a historical achievement in enhancing connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Jammu.

The Vande Bharat Express train operating between Katra and Srinagar has emerged as a crucial transportation option along this route.

Prior to the inauguration of the Jammu-Srinagar rail link, there was a lack of railway connection from the Kashmir Valley to the broader Indian railway network. The DEMU/MEMU rakes in the valley could not undergo periodic maintenance and upgrades due to logistical challenges.

“In addition to introducing new train services, the opening of this line has significantly transformed the maintenance capabilities for rail tracks in the Kashmir Valley. The railway connection has facilitated the transportation of track maintenance machinery into the valley. Maintenance is now conducted using modern equipment, a shift from the previous manual methods, leading to a marked enhancement in track quality,” the ministry revealed.

Nationwide, tracks are undergoing upgrades. By early 2025, it is anticipated that 78 percent of India's railway tracks will have been modernized to support speeds of 110 km/h or higher, a considerable increase from 39 percent in 2014.

“This increase should be contextualized within the growth of the total track length over the past decade; the total track length is expected to surpass 1 lakh km by 2025, up from 79,342 km in 2014,” the ministry elaborated.

“We aim to enhance track quality by significantly upgrading technology and maintenance practices. The adoption of modern track fittings, track machinery, ultrasound fracture detection tools, road-rail vehicles, and integrated track measurement systems will make our maintenance protocols more scientific,” stated Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw.

“Artificial Intelligence will play a pivotal role in defect detection. These technological advancements will greatly improve the working conditions for track maintenance personnel,” he added.