Srinagar, June 5 -- When Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the much-awaited 272km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, built at a cost of Rs.43,780 crore, on the eve of Eid on Friday, he will be opening all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country that would be a gamechanger for the Valley's economy, particularly tourism and horticulture. "This link besides ferrying passengers will be used to transport apples, cherries, saffron and handicrafts to major markets in the country. It will also give a fillip to tourism as there will be improved access to destinations, including Pahalgam and Gulmarg. It will definitely be a gamechanger," a senior J&K government official said. The horticulture sector forms 8% of Jammu and Kashmir's GDP. Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries former president Sheikh Ashiq said: "Finally, Srinagar has been connected by rail. It will help people of Kashmir in many ways, particularly those related to tourism, horticulture, handicrafts and other businesses." Another businessman, Omar Tibetbakal, said the rail link will help all sectors of Kashmir. "Now there should be a direct train between Srinagar and Delhi," he said. Gazi Latief, a tourist guide from Budgam, termed it a big moment that will boost tourism, while Malik Adil, a Srinagar-based wholesale fruit trader, said: "We will now be able to ferry fruit consignments by rail that will save time. This is a big gift to fruit growers."...