CRS inspects Reasi-Katra rail link

Jammu, Dec 17: Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Dinesh Chand Deshwal Tuesday conducted a comprehensive primary inspection of track, tunnels and other infrastructure of the crucial Reasi-Katra stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

After completing the inspection, Deshwal, while speaking to the media, stated that before the final commissioning of the project, an intensive cycle of multiple inspections by CRS was part of the Standard Operating Procedure to meet the highest standards of safety and security.

“Before starting train services, CRS has to conduct several rounds of intensive inspections to analyse every aspect related to safety in detail. Today’s inspection was part of this sequence. We have inspected the bridge analysing all aspects in detail including foolproof safety. This was followed by inspection of tunnels,” he said.

“All works related to the Reasi-Srinagar section have been completed. Authorisation for running trains has also been given. Now, work related to our last section between Reasi to Katra has to be finished. For this section, rail inspection is underway. Next step vis-a-vis our plan of action will be taken accordingly, following completion of these inspection visits,” CRS Deshwal said.

On December 16, a similar inspection was conducted up to Banihal by the CRS team, as a part of the primary inspection before the train services are finally commissioned, from New Delhi to Kashmir.

On December 14, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, Sandeep Gupta revealed that after the completion of track-laying work for tunnel T-33, connecting Katra to Reasi, rear activities were underway.

“Ballast-less track work for the 3.2 km long tunnel T-33, connecting Katra to Reasi has been completed. Now rear activities like mechanical work are underway. These works too will be completed very soon. Once completed, they will be followed by trial runs and safety inspection and then the project will be commissioned. This will be a milestone in achieving the vision of “Viksit Bharat” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Gupta had said.

On December 12, the final track work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link was completed. This was announced by the Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw himself on ‘X’.

“Historic milestone; Final track work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link is complete. The ballastless track work for the 3.2 km-long Tunnel T-33, located at the foothills of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and connecting Katra to Reasi, was completed today at 2 am,” Vaishnaw posted.

Following approval from CRS after multiple inspection rounds, the project is likely to be commissioned by January next year.