Jammu to Srinagar Train: The ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) project, weaving through the challenging landscape, is set to reach its crescendo early next year.
“95 to 96 per cent of the work on the 111-km-long Katra-Banihal rail line has been completed, with only a small portion of work remaining,” Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Northern Railway, Deepak Kumar said.
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He said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has already announced that Udhampur-Banihal track, connecting Jammu with Srinagar, will be completed by December this year, or early next year.
The USBRL project comprises 38 tunnels covering 119 km, with T-49 being the longest at 12.75 km, making it the country’s lengthiest transportation tunnel.
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The Indian railways is all set to achieve a remarkable feat by connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, as the work on the ambitious Udhampur-Baramulla rail link project is nearing completion, paving way for the first ever to train to chug between the two regions of the Union Territory.
According to officials, the work on the 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project (USBRL is in advanced stage and over 95 percent of the work has been completed so far.
Once completed, the direct train service will bring much sought relief to the commuters by reducing the travel time to 3.5 hours from six hours between Srinagar and Jammu.
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The project is also expected to boost the economy as the goods will be delivered through the train. It will be easier to transport horticulture items like apples besides other agricultural products from Jammu and Kashmir.
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The alignment of the USBRL necessitates the construction of numerous tunnels and bridges across extremely challenging and mountainous terrain, characterized by intricate and demanding Himalayan geological conditions.
Vinod Kumar, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Northern Railways told Kashmir Observer that the project will be completed on the scheduled date- December 2023 or January 2024.
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“The work is going on according to the deadline. If everything goes fine, we will inaugurate the project on the set schedule,” he said.
Significantly, the government intends to launch the highly anticipated Vande Bharat Metro train service between Jammu and Srinagar.
Earlier, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said it has been decided to set up a Vande Bharat Express train maintenance facility at Central Kashmir’s Budgam district in the first go Vande Bharat Metro will be run between Jammu and Srinagar once the rail network gets completed.
An official told Kashmir Observer that the USBRL project involves 38 tunnels with a combined length of 119 km. T-49, he said, is the longest tunnel with a length of 12.75 km, and is also the country’s longest transportation tunnel.
Besides it, he said, there are 927 bridges with a combined length of 13 km. These bridges include the iconic Chenab Bridge which soars 359 metres above the bed of the Chenab River, and is considered to be the world’s highest steel arch rail bridge.
To enhance connectivity and extend its reach, the Indian Railways has also announced plans to introduce three additional state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express trains during FY 2023-24, designated for J&K.
The exact launch date of these trains remains unspecified, but they are anticipated to commence operations once the railway lines in both regions are electrified.
Kumar told Kashmir Observer that the existing stations will be used as of now and if the situation demands, more stations will be established.
Currently there are over 36 railway stations in Jammu and Kashmir, including Baramulla, Sopore, Hamre, Pattan, Nowgam, Kakpora, Awantipora, Pampore, Panzgom, Sadura, Anantnag, Qazigund and Banihal while the rest are in Jammu region.
Congratulations to your dedication.
Hope that will be done without politics
Congratulations Indian Rail team..l wil’l proud really..Bharat Nandanvan Yatra..
Dedicated work done by Indian Railways. Thanks
Thank you Indian Railways as it is going to be biggest boom for economic development of jammu and kashmir.good luck.
Khabar yemen mallan kyaz chi eech jaldi
Calling names demonstrates mean mentality dt too when ppl r going to establish colonies on celestial bodies
narrow minded approach
Hopefully it goes soon good luck India
need tight security too because of thief’s and kidnappers and also security issue also have there
Congratulations Indian Rail team..l wil’l proud really..Bharat Nandanvan Yatra..
Sir which will be the nearest railway station for the people of district doda.
Sangaldan,ramban
For the last 20 yrs I have been listening to this news and it smells stale for me.
Why have negative minds please learn to appreciate good work
It will be completed in next fin year.but for election ,propaganda is being made.Pehle kaha kata tha issi saal december se
pejle hoga ab keh Rahe hain Feb tak hoga.Ground par abhi Patri nahi bichhi hai
Congratulations #dear
Congratulations to the team for their efforts.
Tremendous achievement
Now it’s responsibility of local kashmiri people to keep train and station clean and safe for travellers. so that visitor can come there for tourism without any fear and enjoy.
This project will be a golden feather in the crown of Indian Railway.People will visit Kashmir without fear and enjoy the beauty of Kashmir.Kashmir development will be in multi faceted.
Wish the Kashmir people all the best.
One of the best 👍 achievement … Congratulations to all. From labor to top…….. .. What we need to maintain it.
Whole Kashmir is waiting for the prosperous occassion eagerly,wishes all the best..,hoping it will be completed before spring.
Impossible have been turned possible by Indian Railways, it is purely dedication, hardwork and zeal, big slaute to Indian Railways
Are you in any ways affiliated to the original indian express?
Big Big congratulations and Salute to the team who made it possible. One of the greatest achievements by the country and its praiseworthy, dynamic leadership. Jai Hind. Bharat Mata ki Jai.
Great job by indian Govt in indian history with the hard work of indian Railway team,congratulations to all .
Oh! No great news,i’m from bengal also am wish to go srinagar 01.03.24,it’s my 1st travel to kashmir,am really excited hope i shall be travel by vande metro from jammu to srinagar advance thanks to all IR Team member&workers for yours hard work and dedication.
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Good news …congratulations peoples of kashmir
That will make things lot more easier for me… As I have been posted to GDC Reasi… All the best to Indian Railways… Wonderful Job !!!