SRINAGAR, MAY 31: Jammu- Baramulla railway line project will act as a catalyst for accelerated development, progress, and prosperity in the union territory
This all-weather and cost-effective connectivity shall prove to be a boon for the economy of J&K besides catalyzing industrialization, movement of raw materials, trade, tourism, and employment generation as well.
Sustainable connectivity to this region is very important for national security, prosperity, and socio-economic development of the region. Despite vast resources, Kashmir valley lagged in terms of development due to a lack of railway connectivity. After the abrogation of Article 370, central and UT governments made serious efforts to establish rail connectivity to the region for which several railway projects have been initiated which are under execution in different stages.
The Central government has declared the project a National Project given its significance to the nation. Institutions like IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee, Geographical Survey of India, and DRDO are providing expertise in project planning and its implementation. This route will also see the construction of the world’s highest railway bridge and India’s first cable-stayed Railway Bridge.
After completion, this line will be an all-weather convenient, and cost-effective mass transportation system and will act as a catalyst for the overall development of the northernmost alpine region of the country.
This project has great significance for security and socio-economic development. It can play important role in rapid industrialization, movement of raw materials and finished products from J&K, and encourage trade and tourism in the region apart from providing employment opportunities, an official said. Similarly, it will be a boon for the development of agriculture, horticulture, and floriculture in this area, he added.
The construction of the first 3 phases of the railway project has been completed and the line is operational between Banihal – Baramulla in Kashmir Valley and Jammu-Udhampur-Katra in Jammu region. Besides, work on the intervening 111 km of the Katra-Banihal section is going on which is the most challenging portion for construction due to its geology and extensive Riverine system with deep gorges.
According to a senior official of Northern Railways, Kashmir valley would be connected to Jammu and the rest of the country in 2023, providing efficient connectivity to Kashmir valley with other parts of the country through a rail network.
The main tunnel of T-49, the longest tunnel of Indian Railways, between Sumber and Arpinchala station of the Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur- Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project has been connected successfully.
After completion of this project, it would be a splendid project of engineering of the 21st century and this project will write a new story of development, progress, prosperity, and security of the nation.
The world’s highest bridge being built over Chenab in the Union Territory will be completed by September this year.
“As you all know that the world’s highest railway bridge over Chenab is being built. It will be completed in September this year which will fulfill our motive of connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari,” Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said.
The world’s highest rail bridge on Chenab will connect Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country by rail route, which is designed to withstand earthquake of magnitude eight on the Richter Scale.
The work for Reasi railway station in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, a part of Jammu-Bara is in the final leg. The concrete slabs have been laid at bridge number 39 built over a 105 ft gorge. Of all the pillars installed for the bridge, the height of the middle one is more than that of Qutab Minar. The height of the pylon above the foundation is 193 meters. The bridge is 331 meters above sea level.
