Srinagar, Jan 08: In a significant milestone for the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, Indian Railways successfully completed a rising grade speed trial from Katra to Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir. This marks a key step toward the early commencement of direct rail services between Kashmir and the rest of the country.
Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) for the Northern Circle, Dinesh Chand Deshwal, expressed optimism about the future of rail connectivity in the region. “The trial run has provided a positive outlook for the early commencement of direct train services. The decision will be made after analysing data from the two-day statutory inspection. We will return to Katra to assess the collected data before finalizing the launch of direct services,” he said.
The trial, conducted at a speed of 110 km/h on the challenging Katra-Banihal section, was hailed as smooth, showcasing the excellent work by Indian Railways engineers. “The trial train left Katra at 10:30 AM, reached Banihal in one-and-a-half hours, and began its return journey at 2 PM. This marked the final speed trial on the track,” Deshwal added.
Deshwal also emphasized that the final decision regarding the commencement of services would be taken by the Centre after the analysis of the data collected during the inspection. “The inspection and trial runs have been satisfactory so far, and a decision will be based on our report,” he stated.
Union Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking about the progress, highlighted the completion of the Reasi-Katra section. “The Reasi-Katra section is a crucial development in connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country after nearly three decades of work,” he remarked, adding that the final CRS safety inspection for the Katra-Banihal section was now underway.
On January 4, Indian Railways successfully completed an electric train trial run on the Katra-Banihal section. Over the past month, six trial runs, including those over the Anji Khad and Chenab bridges, have been conducted, ensuring the safety and readiness of the route.
A railway spokesperson confirmed that the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar will soon be reduced to just three hours and ten minutes. “With the commencement of the final safety inspection of the 111-km long Banihal-Katra section, rail commuters can expect a world-class travel experience on this route from later this year. Jammu station is also being redeveloped with eight platforms and modern amenities,” the spokesperson stated.
An 8-coach Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar is expected to start running soon, providing a much-awaited transformation in rail connectivity between Kashmir and Jammu. The completion of the Banihal-Katra section, described as an engineering marvel, involves 97 km of tunnels and 7 km covered by four main bridges.
The project faced significant challenges, including the construction of the world’s highest arch bridge over the Chenab River, standing at a height of 359 meters. “This was achieved using a rock bolting method with 30,000 tonnes of steel,” said the spokesperson. The project also includes India’s first cable-stayed bridge on the Anji River, along with the Reasi and Bakkal bridges.
Railway engineers also pioneered the Himalayan tunneling technique to ensure safety and strength for the 67 km of escape tunnels, which feature a ballast-less track similar to metro lines. The longest tunnel on this section, T50, stretches for 12.77 km. Cameras installed every 50 meters monitor safety and operational data, which are connected to a state-of-the-art central control room.
In addition, Indian Railways has constructed 215 km of access roads in the region, which benefit local communities and aid in project execution.
To ensure all-weather connectivity, the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will feature anti-freezing capabilities. A snow-removal train will operate ahead of passenger and freight trains, ensuring that services run year-round, day and night.
The spokesman also highlighted the unique features of the Vande Bharat Express, specially designed for extreme cold conditions as low as -20°C. “The train is equipped with advanced heating systems, including a heated windshield for the driver to prevent fogging or freezing, ensuring clear visibility in extreme temperatures. The train also features heating elements in the plumbing and bio-toilets to prevent water from freezing, ensuring the systems continue to function during cold weather,” the spokesperson explained.
