Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly created Jammu railway division via virtual mode on Monday, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the region’s residents. This milestone precedes the much-anticipated commencement of train services to Kashmir from Katra, with final trial runs set for Tuesday.
New division to boost rail connectivity and oversee iconic projects
The virtual inauguration will be attended in Jammu by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh is also expected to join the event.
Headquartered in Jammu, the division will be carved out of the Firozpur Division and will oversee operations across 742.1 km of railway lines. The jurisdiction includes the Pathankot-Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla section (423 km), Bhogpur-Sirwal-Pathankot (87.21 km), Batala-Pathankot (68.17 km), and the Pathankot-Joginder Nagar narrow-gauge section (163.72 km).
Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the division will leverage advanced IT systems for efficient operations. This restructuring raises the total number of railway divisions under Indian Railways’ 17 zones to 70.
Managing key infrastructure projects
The Jammu railway division will manage prominent rail infrastructure, including the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, standing 359 metres above the riverbed in Reasi district. It will also oversee the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, spanning 473.25 metres.
Additionally, the division will handle the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, which is nearing completion. Of the 272-kilometre stretch, 255 km has been completed, with the remaining section between Katra and Reasi expected to be operational by December.
Enhancing rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir
Currently managed by the Firozpur Division, railway operations in Jammu and Kashmir will see a significant boost with the creation of this new division. The phased commissioning of train services to Kashmir, following safety inspections and trials, will further enhance connectivity in the region.