The long-awaited rail link to Kashmir is now poised to begin operations following the green light from officials recently. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has given the go-ahead for the final stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, approving the 17-km Katra-Reasi section after a thorough inspection. This crucial safety check, conducted by the railway safety audit body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, marks the last hurdle before trains can begin operating on this challenging route.
The approval for the Katra-Reasi section was confirmed by Dinesh Chand Deshwal, CRS for the Northern Circle, with the infrastructure described as outstanding. Due to security concerns, it was confirmed that train services on this route will be limited to daytime operations. A maximum speed of 85 km per hour for trains running between the Shri Vaishno Devi Dham Katra and Reasi stations was also approved by the CRS. Additionally, a fitness approval for the loop line was received for a speed of 15 km per hour on specific sections.
With the CRS report now cleared, preparations are underway for the introduction of various trains, including the Vande Bharat, Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DEMU), and Mainline Electric Multiple Units (MEMU), all set to run between Jammu and Srinagar.
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail project, which began in 1994-95, has been completed in several phases. While the first three phases were finished by 2014, the most challenging part of the project — the 111 km Katra-Banihal section — posed significant difficulties due to the region's tough topography. However, recent progress has seen the commissioning of the 48-km Banihal-Sangaldan stretch in February 2024, followed by the CRS authorization of the 46-km Sangaldan-Reasi section in July.
The Katra-Reasi section is the final piece of the puzzle, marking the completion of a rail link that includes 97 km of tunnels and 7 km of bridges. Among the engineering feats is the world's highest arch bridge over the Chenab River, standing 359 meters tall. The foundation for this bridge was constructed using 30,000 tonnes of steel. Additionally, India's first cable-stayed bridge over the Anji River was built as part of the project, alongside other key bridges in the Reasi and Bakkal regions.
The longest tunnel along the Katra-Banihal stretch stretches 12.77 km. To ensure operational safety, cameras have been installed every 50 meters inside the tunnels. Furthermore, 215 km of access roads have been built by the Railways to support the project.
The first train to run on the new section will be a state-of-the-art, eight-coach Vande Bharat train, designed to withstand temperatures as low as -20°C, offering a comfortable and scenic journey for travellers to and from Kashmir. With this final milestone, the Kashmir rail link is set to transform travel to the region, making it more accessible and scenic than ever before.
(With inputs from various sources)
