Dream envisioned for decades to be reality: Railway Minister
Jammu, Jun 5: Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw Thursday stated that the dream envisioned for decades would become a reality on June 6, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagging off Vande Bharat Express from Katra to Srinagar.
“The dedication of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) to the nation by the Prime Minister will mark the realization of a dream which we envisioned decades ago. Such critical projects need political determination to complete. PM Modi showed that grit and
Vaishnaw was responding to media queries after the inspection of Jammu Railway Station, which is undergoing major transformation and expansion exercise.
The Railways Minister had reached a day in advance to oversee the arrangements made for the Prime Minister’s visit to Katra-Reasi.
Vaishnaw said, “Vande Bharat train service is from Jammu to Srinagar. After the completion of the expansion work of Jammu Railway Station by September, the train service will operate from Jammu. Till then it will run from Katra to Srinagar.”
He said that four terminals were also being set up to create more facilities for transporting “perishable” and other goods.
“These terminals will be set up in the valley, Jammu, Katra and Udhampur,” Vaishnaw said.
With regard to the USBRL project, the Minister for Railways said that between 2004 and 2014, work proceeded only in plain areas.
“But PM showed determination and showed his confidence in the technical teams and that worked, resulting in the completion of this critical and challenging project,” he said while giving a detailed account of technical parameters, designs and other crucial aspects of Chenab bridge.
“As it was in seismic zone V, its design process was complex. It has been designed to withstand 260 km per hour wind speed. Similarly, the Anji bridge is unique. It has been designed so, given the specific topography of the area, as there was no space for piers. We used a special Himalayan Tunneling Method for the construction of tunnels for the project,” Vaishnaw said.
Earlier, he had an extensive inspection of works underway at Jammu Railway Station.
