Indian Railways is set to commence train operations on the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section on February 20. It is a 48.1-kilometre stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to virtually inaugurate the section which is constructed at the cost of Rs 15,863 crore via flagging off a train from Sangaldan, the sources in the railways stated. Though, an official announcement regarding the same is awaited.
"We will get a step closure to realise our dream to connect Srinagar with Kanyakumari. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is one of the most ambitious Himalayan railway projects post Independence, " said a source in the railways.
Highlighting the project, one of the senior railways officials cited, "Spanning the challenging terrain of the Pir Panjal ranges, the USBRL aims at establishing an all-weather, comfortable and economically-feasible transportation network, connecting remote Himalayan areas with the rest of the country."
The USBRL project will connect the Kashmir Valley with the Jammu region and the national rail network, covering a total distance of 272 kilometers, with 161 kilometers already in operation.
"It features 16 bridges - 11 major ones, four minor ones and one road overbridge. More than 90 per cent of this section is in tunnels, with a total of 11 tunnels covering 43.37 kilometres, including the country's longest transportation tunnel, T-50, stretching 12.77 kilometres in the Khari-Sumber section," one of the senior official associated with the project stated.
Meanwhile, the train services from Baramulla to Banihal will be extended to Sangaldan, near Ramban's district headquarters. Enhanced safety features such as CCTV surveillance, advanced tunnel safety technology with ventilation and firefighting systems, have also been incorporated.
The Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section of the USBRL project, covering 185.66 RKM (route kilometers) and serving 19 railway stations, is made fully electrified, according to sources.
"For safety and rescue, there are three escape tunnels with a combined length of 30.1 kilometres. Additionally, the section includes 30 curves spanning 23.72 kilometres. To further enhance passenger safety and comfort, several advanced features have been incorporated, such as ballastless tracks and canted turnouts (a first for the Indian Railways)," the senior official added.
Furthing providing information, the source cited, "Constructed for ₹470.23 crore, with electrification, it is possible to operate the state-of-the-art Vande Bharat trains in the section. Other noteworthy features include 25-KV OHE inside the longest operational tunnel (tunnel T-80 in the Banihal-Quazigund section), specialised equipment for high-altitude operations and 132/33-KV traction substations at altitudes exceeding 1,600 MSL."
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