Baramulla railway station (station code: BRML) is a railway station in the town of Baramulla in the Baramulla district of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It serves as the western terminus of the Banihal–Baramulla section of the Kashmir Valley railway line, operated by Northern Railway, a zone of Indian Railways.
Key facts
| Station name | Baramulla |
|---|---|
| Station code | BRML |
| Location | Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Line | Banihal–Baramulla section, Jammu–Baramulla line |
| Operator | Northern Railway, Indian Railways |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge |
| Electrified | No (diesel traction at the time of opening) |
| Status | Functional; western terminus of the Kashmir Valley line |
Overview
Baramulla railway station marks the western end of the railway network in the Kashmir Valley. From here the line runs eastwards through Sopore, Pattan, Mazhom, Srinagar, Anantnag and Qazigund towards Banihal, connecting the major towns of the valley by rail. The station was constructed as part of the Jammu–Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla rail link (USBRL), a national project intended to integrate the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the Indian railway network.
Background
The Jammu–Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla rail link was declared a National Project by the Government of India, with construction supervised by the Ministry of Railways through agencies including the Konkan Railway Corporation, IRCON International and Northern Railway. Because of the difficult Himalayan terrain, the project required extensive tunnelling and bridge work. The valley section, including Baramulla station, was built and commissioned ahead of the more challenging Banihal–Katra segment.
History
- The Anantnag–Rajwansher section of the Kashmir Valley line, lying within the valley, was opened in October 2008.
- The line was extended westwards to Baramulla on 14 February 2009, formally bringing rail service to the town.
- The Banihal–Qazigund link, including the Pir Panjal railway tunnel, was opened in June 2013, connecting the valley line southwards through the Pir Panjal range.
- With the completion of the Banihal–Katra section, Baramulla was linked to the Indian Railways network across the Chenab valley, enabling through services from the wider national network.
Layout and services
The station has multiple platforms equipped to handle DEMU and conventional passenger services running on the valley line. Passenger amenities include ticketing facilities, waiting areas and basic refreshment services. As the western terminus, all trains on the valley section either originate from or terminate at Baramulla.
Significance
Baramulla station is significant as the westernmost railhead in the Kashmir Valley and as a symbol of the long-running effort to extend Indian Railways into the region. The line that terminates here has improved year-round surface connectivity between towns of the valley, supplementing the road network which is often disrupted by snowfall and landslides in the winter months. The station also supports regional commerce, particularly in fruit and timber trade for which Baramulla is known.
Related topics
- Jammu–Baramulla line
- Kashmir Railway
- Srinagar railway station
- Banihal railway station
- Northern Railway zone
- Indian Railways
- Baramulla
- Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel
References
- Wikidata entity: Q18209894
- Ministry of Railways, Government of India – project documentation on the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla rail link.
- Northern Railway zonal information on the Banihal–Baramulla section.