The Commissioner of Railways Safety (CRS), D C Deshwal, is all set to conduct a two-day inspection later this month on the 46-km Sangaldan-Reasi section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link (USBRL) in Jammu and Kashmir, which includes the world’s highest steel arch rail bridge over Chenab River and several major tunnels.
According to Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Deepak Kumar, this inspection, scheduled for June 27 and 28, is crucial for the commissioning of this section. “The works of Sangaldan to Reasi will be completed before the scheduled inspection of CRS,” news agency PTI quoted Kumar as saying.
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link commissioning
Kumar informed that the USBRL project spans a total of 272 km, with 209 km already commissioned in phases. The initial phase included the 118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section in October 2009, followed by the 18 km Banihal-Qazigund stretch in June 2013, the 25 km Udhampur-Katra segment in July 2014, and the 48.1 km Banihal-Sangaldan section completed in February of this year.
Completion of the 46 km Sangaldan-Reasi section leaves only a 17 km stretch between Reasi and Katra pending, expected to be finished by the year’s end. This milestone aims to establish a railway connection between Kashmir and the rest of the country, marking a longstanding endeavor that began in 1997 amidst various challenges including geological, topographical, and meteorological obstacles.
Chenab rail bridge
The Chenab rail bridge, stretching 1.3 km and situated 359 meters above the riverbed, is a pivotal component of the project. This height surpasses the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris by 35 meters. The Jammu and Kashmir Administration has already outlined plans to develop the bridge into a prominent tourist attraction.
Construction of the steel and concrete arch bridge’s foundation, located between Bakkal and Kauri, 42 km from Reasi town, was finished in November 2017. Subsequently, the main arch construction commenced in April 2021, marking a significant advancement.
Another notable achievement occurred in August 2022 with the completion of the overarch deck, marked by a ‘Golden Joint’. This milestone facilitated the laying of the tracks, which was finalised the following year.
Sangaldan to Reasi inaugural run likely on June 30
The inaugural run of the first train from Sangaldan to Reasi is anticipated by June 30, marking a significant milestone in connecting Jammu’s Reasi district to Kashmir via railway. This achievement underscores the ongoing efforts since 1997 to overcome geological, topographical, and meteorological challenges in realising this ambitious railway project.
Inspection of USBRL
Deputy Commissioner of Reasi, Vishesh Paul Mahajan, who conducted a recent inspection of the railway line, expressed that the district’s residents eagerly anticipate hearing the train’s whistle and the rhythmic sound of its journey.
“The commissioning of the Sangaldan-Reasi section means an alternate link between Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir. This will be followed by linking Katra station to Kashmir, heralding a new phase and the biggest achievement with the valley getting connected to Kanyakumari,” he said.
Mahajan remarked that when the train soon crosses the Chenab bridge, it will be a moment of pride for the country, showcasing how “our engineers have presented the world with the highest railway bridge.”
“This entire railway project is full of engineering marvels as most of the 111-km section between Katra and Banihal passes through tunnels and bridges. We have India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge (Anji Khad) also here,” he added.