#KashmirDevelopment Archives

Kashmir Rail Connectivity Completed After 42 Years: From Indira to Modi

June 7, 2025 Editor

A Dream That Began in 1983: Indira Gandhi’s Vision In 1983, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi laid the foundation stone of what would become one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects: the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). The aim was clear but bold—to connect Kashmir Valley, long isolated by treacherous terrain and volatile geopolitics, to the national railway network. At the time, Kashmir was accessible primarily via the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway or through limited air connectivity, both heavily dependent on weather and often disrupted. The rail link promised a revolutionary shift…

Ruhullah Mehdi Slams ‘Forced Development’ in Kashmir: Who Really Benefits?

March 19, 2025 Editor

Ruhullah Mehdi Slams Infrastructure Imposition in Kashmir: Forced Development or Economic Neglect? A Debate Over Development in Kashmir – The debate over development in Jammu and Kashmir has once again taken center stage, with National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi voicing strong criticism against the central government. During a session in Parliament, Ruhullah accused the government of imposing infrastructure projects on Kashmir without considering the aspirations or immediate needs of its people. His remarks have reignited discussions about land acquisition, displacement of farmers, and the apparent neglect of regions actively…

Historic Milestone: Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Completed

December 14, 2024December 14, 2024 Editor

Udhampur-Baramulla rail line ready; Centre calls it milestone A significant milestone has been achieved with the completion of the final track work on the prestigious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country. The Ministry of Railways announced the development on Friday. Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the update on X, calling it a “historic milestone.” He stated, “Final track work on the Udhampur – Srinagar – Baramulla Rail Link is complete.” He further revealed that the ballast-less track work for the 3.2 km-long tunnel T-33,…

Kashmir’s Power Crisis: A Looming Crisis for Residents and Businesses

October 27, 2023 Editor

As the winter season approaches, Kashmir finds itself amid an escalating power crisis. The Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has issued a power curtailment schedule, yet the Valley continues to grapple with unscheduled and prolonged power outages, significantly impacting the lives of its residents and businesses. This year’s power crisis has taken a turn for the worse, as even before the onset of the winter, Kashmir is experiencing protracted power cuts, leading to dire consequences for both individuals and commercial establishments. According to the industrialists, the industrial output plummeted by…

Nawaz Sharif’s Kashmir remarks: A bid to boost popularity or a genuine concern?

October 23, 2023 Editor

Nawaz Sharif has made the right overture by saying he wants to reach out to India. But he needs to get permission from the Pakistan Army before any initiative. Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif marked his homecoming with a mega rally in Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan. The 73-year-old Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) supremo raised the Kashmir issue while addressing his party workers. Sharif, who ended his self-imposed exile in London, also said there was a need to have an effective foreign policy and ‘good relations’ with neighbours, without mentioning India. What…

J&K’s Power Crisis: Why is the Region Still Relying on External Power Sources Despite Hydropower Potential?

October 15, 2023 Editor

J&K’s Hydropower Riches: Why is the Region Still Spending Billions on Power Purchases? Jammu and Kashmir’s over-reliance on external power sources has incurred a substantial cost of Rs 63,000 crore over the past 11 years. This hefty expenditure on power purchases from external generation companies (gencos) underlines the ongoing energy challenge in the region, despite its substantial hydropower potential. Official data reveals that from the fiscal year 2012-13 to 2022-23, the power purchase bills from external power distribution companies (discoms) have reached a cumulative total of Rs 63,000 crore. In…

J&K Faces Looming Power Crisis, Industries in Kashmir Suffer as Prolonged Power Outages Dent Production

October 2, 2023 Editor

Despite the ample hydropower potential in Jammu and Kashmir, power generation has declined to 500 MW, while the government’s reduced procurement of 1400-1500 MW from external power gencos has resulted in a power crisis in the union territory. Kashmir is currently grappling with an unprecedented power crisis, with power cuts ranging from 5 to 9 hours a day, leaving residents and industries in the region reeling. Officials said that the root cause of this crisis lies in the dwindling power generation within J&K, which currently stands at a mere 500 MW,…