The work on the prestigious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL)-connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country-has entered its final stage, with the ‘challenging’ Reasi tunnel expected to be completed within the next 15 days.
Officials stated that completing the remaining work on the Reasi tunnel will pave the way for a trial run on the track, which has been under construction since 2005, following its sanctioning in 1995.
General Manager of Northern Railways, Ashok Kumar Verma, told Jk Fact that Indian Railways would be ready for the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) inspection in the first week of January 2025.
“Kashmir will soon be connected to the rest of the country. While no exact dates have been announced, it will happen shortly. The work on the T-1 tunnel in Reasi, which has been particularly challenging, is now complete,” Verma said.
He further informed that the tunnel lining is complete, the track has been laid, and electrical works are currently underway. “These works will be finished within the next 10-15 days,” he added.
The General Manager noted that the CRS inspection is likely to take place in the first week of January. “For every new section, CRS inspection is mandatory. By December 30, we will be ready for the inspection,” he said.
During his visit to Qazigund, Verma emphasized that the USBRL project is nearing completion and they are currently inspecting areas which require further arrangements.
“As we approach completion, we are ensuring that all necessary arrangements are in place and identifying areas for further improvement,” he said, adding that Railways is committed to ensuring that trains in Kashmir operate as seamlessly as they do in other parts of the country.
Regarding additional stops for the ‘Vande Bharat’ Express train, Verma explained that the timetable would determine the number of stops and their locations.
“If it stops everywhere, it defeats the purpose of being an express train. Mail express trains already have fewer stops than regular passenger trains,” he explained.
Verma added that factors such as footfall and other parameters would influence the decision to add stops. “Once the train begins operations, a review will be conducted if needed, and additional stops may be introduced accordingly,” he said.
Over all, he said that the primary focus is to complete the project and ensure the train starts running. “Security assessments will be carried out to protect the tracks, trains, and passengers. Once that is addressed, the rest will follow,” he noted.
Notably, a CRS team visited several locations, including Banihal, on Monday. The team inspected the railway line to assess its readiness for a trial run, visiting the Reasi district and the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River.
Regarding proposed railway projects in South Kashmir, which have faced criticism, Verma revealed that six such projects are currently in the survey phase.
“Decisions will be made based on inputs from various stakeholders. Surveys are considering factors such as potential passenger traffic, costs, challenges, and benefits for residents. As of now, we are detailing routes and identifying challenges,” he said.
Officials have indicated that following CRS approval, the much-anticipated Vande Bharat train service between New Delhi and Srinagar will be inaugurated on January 26, 2025.
Notably, the USBRL project has been under construction for over two decades, and people eagerly await its completion. The anticipated cost of the project was Rs 37,012 crore, of which Rs 26,786 crore had been incurred as of March 2022.
