Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link

Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project has brought Jammu and Kashmir in the national mainstream as it connects the nation with the Union Territory (UT)in a comprehensive manner. It integrates the various districts of the UT that include Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla. The 272 km railway track is  one of the first of its kind that has been developed on a purely scientific basis and speaks volumes about the expertise and professionalism of the Indian Railway engineers who have created an international marvel. The USBRL project is one of the most difficult new railway line projects undertaken in the country post-independence. The terrain passes through young Himalayas, which are full of geological surprises and numerous problems. In this project, Railway has made the world’s highest Railway Bridge over Chenab river in Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir. The iconic Chenab Bridge is 1315 m long having an arch span of 467 m and height of 359 m above river bed. Indian Railway’s first cable-stayed bridge has been constructed over Anji Khad in this project. Its bridge deck is 331m above the river bed level and height of its Main pylon is 193m. The USBRL project has made substantial socio-economic contributions to the region, with employment generation being a significant aspect of its impact. The project has generated more than 5 Cr. man-days of employment. Another crucial facet of the USBRL Project’s socio-economic development efforts has been the construction of over 215 km of approach roads, which include construction of a tunnel and 320 small bridges. This road network has helped the local population in improvement of their connectivity with other areas and also improvement in socio-economic states. The adherence to  international norms besides the safety provisions have made this project one of the best of its kind in the contemporary times in India and as such is attracting the national and international gaze. All tunnels having length more than 2 Km have been provided with mechanical ventilation systems to ensure air quality. Firefighting systems comprising fire hydrants and fire extinguishers have been provided to promptly address and contain potential fire incidents in all the tunnels.  Further, to ensure the safety of passengers, escape tunnels have also been made where the length of the tunnel is more than 3 Km. A total of 66 Km escape tunnels have been made in this project.To ensure minimum disturbance to Himalayan ecology, due care has been taken for slope stabilization and the best institutes of the world were roped in for execution of this project. Comprehensive schemes for slope stabilization have been adopted as per NEERI guidelines and Detailed Design Consultants’ suggestions to prevent erosion and damage to natural terrains. Slope stability at Chenab Bridge was designed by Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore & IIT/Delhi. Other global firms having experience of such works were also engaged for independent check for slope stability for Chenab Bridge. Slope stability at Anji Bridge was also designed and proof checked by experienced global firms. Total land acquired for the USBRL Project includes 1559.48 Hectares of Private land and 276.71 Hectares of Govt. Land. Complete payment of these land acquisitions amounting to Rs. 816.21 crores. has already been deposited with concerned Collector Land Acquisition. The mechanism for resolving pending claims related to land acquisition is already included vide section 18 of Jammu & Kashmir State Land Acquisition Act 1990.This information has been provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.