Srinagar, Feb 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Jammu on Tuesday brings with it a significant milestone for the region as he is set to inaugurate the first electric train in Kashmir and officially open the 48-kilometer rail link from Banihal to Sangaldan section in the Valley. Officials have confirmed that all arrangements have been completed for this momentous occasion.
A Railway Official told Rising Kashmir that PM Modi will flag off Kashmir’s first electric train from Srinagar railway station on Tuesday. The electric train that has 8 couches will be virtually flagged off from MA Stadium Jammu,” he said.
The official said it will be followed by inauguration of train services on the 48.1-kilometre Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section. This section consists of three sections, with Khari-Sumber covering 13.6 km and Sumber-Sangaldan spanning 19.5 km, resulting in a total length of 33.42 km.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Chenab Bridge, which is the world’s tallest railway bridge. It stretches over 1.3 km in the Reasi, standing at the height of 359 meters above the Chenab River. Surpassing the Eiffel Tower by 35 meters, this engineering marvel is truly a testament to modern innovation.
As part of the ambitious USBRL (Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link) project, the entire railway network is designed to cover a substantial distance of 272 km.
In December 2023. Northern Railways marked a key milestone by achieving a breakthrough for the 3.2-km long Tunnel T-1 between Katra and Reasi railway stations.
Situated at the foothills of Trikuta Hills near Katra in Reasi district, this tunnel was constructed by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited for Northern Railways as part of national projects.
Currently, diesel-run trains operate on the Baramulla-Banihal section (138 km) and with the new line becoming operational, commuters can now travel by train from Baramulla to Sangaldan.
Another official at IRCON International first electric train will be inaugurated on Feb 20. All arrangements are being finalized for the mega event. It will be a historic day for railways in Kashmir,” he said.
He said electrification of this entire section has been completed with Rs 470 crore investment. The section has 19 stations. The electrification of the stretch will make operation of the Vande Bharat train possible, the official added.
This is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which spans through challenging terrain of the Pir Panjal Ranges and it aims to establish an all-weather, comfortable, and economically feasible transportation network with the rest of the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate/lay the foundation of projects worth Rs 3,161 crore during his forthcoming visit to J&K on February 20.
Among the projects to be virtually inaugurated by PM are the AIIMS in Vijaypur town in Samba district, highest railway bridge in Reasi district, Devika Rejuvenation project, Shahpur Kandi project, IIM Jammu, several major roads and projects in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
