Final track work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link complete: Union Railways Minister

Ramban, Dec 13: In a historic milestone, the final track laying work on tunnel T-33, between Katra and Reasi on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), project was completed on Friday.

This was stated by Union Minister, Railways, Ashwani Vaishnaw on “X” formally twitter on Friday.

He wrote “Historic milestone, final track work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link is complete.”

The ballast -less 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 successfully completed today at 2.20 hrs”.

Official sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would launch train services to Kashmir by the end of December or before 26 January 2025 after necessary safety inspections of tunnel T-33.

Earlier in the month of November, Union Minister of State (MoS), for Railways, Ravneet Singh Bitu had visited Reasi and inspected Railway Station Reasi, highest cable stayed Railway Bridge, Chenab Bridge and last stage work of tunnel T-33 between Katra and Reasi section. He had also inspected the rail line between Sangaldan and Reasi section.

Experts said rail service to Kashmir would boost tourism trade, business opportunities in Kashmir.

Authorities said on the Katra to Banihal section of railway line there are eight escape tunnels spanning a total length of 67 km.

Engineers working on the project also confirmed that the work on the 3 kms of tunnel between Katra and Reasi railway stations on the USBRL project was completed.

They said the project will be inaugurated by PM Modi any time by or before January, 2025.

They said the PM Modi and the entire Ministry of Indian Railways are focusing on it and trying their best to get the services started soon.

The Railway Ministry has said the USBRL project would significantly boost tourism, trade, and business opportunities in Kashmir valley.

Railway ministry, while acknowledging the hard work of workers and officers involved in completion of the dream project, has appreciated the combined efforts of IRCON International Limited, responsible for the construction, and Konkan Railways Corporation Limited (KRCL) for its technical expertise, which have turned this engineering dream into reality.

They said Indian Railways is committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and innovation for passengers. They had said escape tunnels are a critical feature designed to ensure the safety and rescue of passengers in the event of any disaster inside any main tunnel. As per safety norms, every tunnel longer than 3 km is equipped with a parallel escape tunnel. They had said on the stretch from Katra to Banihal, there are eight escape tunnels spanning a total length of 67 km. These tunnels are equipped with motorable roads for quick access and evacuation.

Earlier in the month of February rail service from Baramulla was extended up to Sangaldan by PM Modi during his Jammu visit.

It is important to mention here that the work on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is almost complete with all infrastructures, security deployment between Sangaldan and Katra in place.

Connecting Kashmir with other parts of the country through rail is the dream of PM Modi.

Official sources said the Railway Ministry; Prime Minister office is personally monitoring its progress.

The IRCON International Limited, responsible for the construction, and Konkan Railways Corporation Limited (KRCL), is submitting the last stage progress of 3 kms of tunnel work to the Railway Ministry in New Delhi.