Srinagar, Feb 24: Days following the inauguration of Kashmir’s maiden electric train by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the UT administration has embarked on gathering essential data for the ‘Final Location Survey’ (FLS) for the 33.7-kilometer railway line from Sopore to Kupwara. This initiative is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) megaproject, flagged off during the Prime Minister’s recent visit.
The Deputy Chief Engineer of Northern Railway, USBRL Project, Banihal, conveyed that the FLS is in progress for extending the Railway Line from Sopore to Kupwara. The assessment of anticipated traffic and transportation requirements for commodities such as Food Grains, Fertilizer, Cement, Diesel, Petrol, Steel, etc., is pivotal for the project report and determining necessary infrastructure at different stations.
The UT administration has urged departments to furnish the latest data on town populations in the project area and transportation needs within three days to the ADC Office.
According to a spokesman from Northern Railways, the railway line will be extended to Kupwara and Uri from Kanispora station, adding 50 kilometers to the present railway line. The route will pass through key locations like Baramulla, Sheeri, Gantmulla, Boniyar, Limber, Nougram, Uran Bua, Lagama, and conclude at Uri town, promising significant relief to residents in the region.
The spokesman assured that the survey project would meet its deadline, establishing a vital rail link to the border region.
Moreover, the Ministry of Railways recently sanctioned the Final Location Survey (FLS) of five new railway lines in the Kashmir division, including the doubling of the Baramulla-Banihal section (135.5 kilometers).
On February 20, during the inauguration of the electric train, Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisioned enhanced connectivity across the nation, with plans to connect Kashmir to Kanyakumari by rail. He congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the region’s first electric train and highlighted the improved access to Mata Vaishno Devi with the operation of two Vande Bharat trains in the region.
Of the total 272-km USBRL Project, with a project cost of Rs 41,119 Crores, 161 km has already been commissioned. The recent commissioning of the 48-km Banihal-Sangaldan line has expanded connectivity, allowing commuters to travel by train from Baramulla to Sangaldan.
