Direct train trial run conducted on Katra-Budgam section
Ramban, Jan 19: Ahead of starting rail services to Kashmir, Northern Railways Sunday conducted a train trial run from Katra railway station of Jammu to Budgam in Kashmir.
Official sources said a train, comprising 22 bogies including two luggage bogies with two engines, departed from Katra railway station at 8 am and reached Budgam, thus making a successful trial.
Meanwhile the Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today visited Anji Khad bridge and described it as an engineering marvel.
“I got an opportunity today to visit and see the Anji bridge constructed by Indian Railways. I would describe it as an engineering marvel. This is the first cable-stayed bridge of Indian Railways though there are some similar bridges in few other countries,” he said.
Dulloo appreciated the technology (hi-tech) used in the construction, surveillance and safety parameters being maintained there.
“I’m very impressed. This is unparalleled. I was told that Rs 485 Cr was expended on the construction of this bridge, which was completed in five years,” he said.
With regard to the operation of trains, the Chief Secretary said that after studying the CRS report, the Railway Ministry and the Minister incharge would take a call.
Earlier officials regarding the successful trial run said the work on the USBRL Project was recently completed and railway authorities conducted a series of train trial runs between Katra-Reasi-Sagaldan-Sumber-Khari and Banihal railway stations.
Public Relation Officer Northern Railways, Hemanshu said a train trial run between Katra and Budgam was conducted to check the track, tunnels, bridges, electric lights etc enroute to Budgam.
The train chugged between Katra to Budgam with prescribed speed limits and after passing through treacherous mountains, the highest bridge, longest tunnel, reached successfully at railway station Budgam in Kashmir.
Earlier this month Commissioner of Railway Safety Dinesh Chand Deshwal and his team minutely inspected the newly constructed Katra-Reasi-Sangaldan –Banihal track through trolleys and trains.
CRS submitted its detailed authorization report to central government for opening of newly constructed Broad Gauge Line between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Reasi stations for public carriage of goods and passenger traffic thereby completing the entire Udhampur Srinagar-Baramulla –new BG Rail-Link Project in Firozpur Division of Northern Railway.
Official sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch rail service to Kashmir anytime after January 26.
