Indian Railways is set to launch train services on the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section, a crucial 48.1-kilometer segment of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project, commencing operations on February 20. This development marks a significant stride towards connecting Srinagar with Kanyakumari as the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, post-independence, unfolds as one of the most ambitious Himalayan railway initiatives.
The impending inauguration, expected to be conducted virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Sangaldan, awaits official confirmation. The USBRL project, spanning 272 kilometres to integrate the Kashmir Valley with Jammu and the national rail network, has already commissioned 161 kilometres.
Speaking on the project, a senior railway official highlighted the project's objective of establishing an all-weather, economical transportation network through the challenging terrain of the Pir Panjal ranges. The Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section, constructed for INR 15,863 crore, is poised for operation, with existing train services from Baramulla to Banihal extending up to Sangaldan, near Ramban's district headquarters.
It features 16 bridges, including the country's longest transportation tunnel, T-50, covering 12.77 kilometres in the Khari-Sumber segment. Over 90 per cent of the section consists of tunnels, totalling 43.37 kilometres, with three escape tunnels spanning 30.1 kilometres. Moreover, 30 curves covering 23.72 kilometres and advanced safety features like ballastless tracks and canted turnouts enhance passenger safety and comfort.
Safety measures include CCTV monitoring, state-of-the-art tunnel safety technology, ventilation, and firefighting systems. Electrification of the Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section, covering 185.66 route kilometres and serving 19 railway stations, is complete, costing INR 470.23 crore. This enables the operation of state-of-the-art Vande Bharat trains in the section, with additional features such as 25-KV OHE inside the longest operational tunnel (T-80 in the Banihal-Quazigund section), specialized equipment for high-altitude operations, and 132/33-KV traction substations at altitudes exceeding 1,600 meters above sea level.
(With inputs from PTI)