Srinagar, Dec. 5 -- Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said the Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project has generated more than 5 crore man days of employment, significantly boosting economic activity and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Vaishnaw said the 272 km rail corridor, recently commissioned to connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, has opened new opportunities for trade and passenger movement in the region.

"The project has helped apple farmers in transporting apples to different parts of the country. Besides providing connectivity and easing passenger flow towards Kashmir, it has also helped in transporting commodities like cement to the valley," he sai...