PM Modi will launch rail service to Kashmir in 3rd week of April

Ramban, Apr 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the much awaited first all weather train to Kashmir from Katra in the third week of this month.

Railway Board Executive Director Dileep Kumar said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first Vande Bharat train on Udhampur- Srinagar- Baramulla Rail line to Kashmir in the end of third week of this April month.

The train will chug on India’s first 473 meters Anji Khad Bridge, stayed on 96 cables and the world’s highest railway bridge over river Chenab.

The highest 467 meter Chenab bridge is 35 meters higher than Eiffel tower and was constructed by using  29, 000 metric ton steel.

Officers of Northern Railway said a large number of tunnels and bridges were built on Katra –Srinagar rail line. They said 38 tunnels having 119 kms of combined length including longest 12.75 kms tunnel T-49, and 927 bridges having 13 kms of combined length were constructed en route on the 272 kms USBRL project.

The rail service to Kashmir will boost tourism, trade and benefit industries.

Official sources said all the works on the Katra-Reasi to Banihal section were already completed. They said staff was deployed at all the new stations en route Katra-Banihal and Kashmir. With the completion of USBRL project and its operational valley Kashmir will be connected to the rest of the country through Railway network.