Srinagar, Jan 02: The Banihal-Khari segment of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is poised for inauguration following the scheduled inspection by Commissioner of Railways Safety (CRS) Dinesh Chand Deshwal on Wednesday.
The Ferozpur Division of Northern Railway has issued a directive urging the public to avoid the Banihal-Khari track during the inspection. The 14.869 km Banihal-Khari track’s second round of statutory inspection is a crucial step toward its opening, as outlined in an official handout.
Accompanying CRS Deshwal during the inspection will be the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of USBRL, along with construction officers and other relevant officials. A high-level meeting of railway officers was chaired by CRS Deshwal in Srinagar, and he is set to review the newly constructed railway line in the Banihal-Khari section of the Firozpur Division of Northern Railway on Wednesday morning.
A senior official from Northern Railways revealed that the speed trial of the section will be conducted by a special train on Wednesday, following last week’s trolley inspection. The commencement of electric train operations between Banihal-Khari Stations is expected shortly after the successful inspection.
The official further stated that the opening of Banihal-Khari Railway Station is anticipated shortly after January 3, with the entire Katra-Banihal stretch expected to be operational by March 2024.
Railway authorities have issued a cautionary note, emphasizing that crossing the track at any location and trespassing constitute punishable offenses under the Railway Act, with liability for prosecution.
Khari Railway Station, situated within the 111 km stretch of the USBRL project between Banihal and Katra, is a key component of this major rail link.
Regarding electrification progress, Abid Shah, Additional General Manager at IRCON International, revealed that electrification work has reached completion up to Sumber Railway Station. He expressed optimism that the remaining stretch to Dharam, near Sangaldan Station, will be finished by the end of December.
In December 2023, CCRS Northern Railways, Dinesh Chand Deshwal, conducted a comprehensive inspection on the Banihal-Khari track within the Katra-Banihal section of USBRL. The inspection covered newly constructed tracks, electrification works of tunnels, and bridges. Necessary directives were issued to IRCON International Limited to expedite the remaining work on Banihal-Khari and Sumber Stations on a fast-track basis.
