SRINAGAR: The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) on Monday conducted a crucial inspection of the railway track connecting Reasi to Banihal, raising hopes that rail service to the Kashmir Valley may commence in January 2025.
The inspection marks a significant milestone in the completion of the Katra-Banihal rail link, part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
CRS Dinesh Chand Deswal began his day at Gram Railway Station in Reasi after arriving by road from Katra. Boarding a railway engine, he travelled to Banihal, reviewing the track’s preparedness and infrastructure. After returning to Sangaldan in the afternoon, he proceeded to Kodi in the evening. His inspection will continue on December 17, when he is set to travel from Kodi to Katra via trolley to examine the cable bridge constructed over Anji Khad, another engineering marvel of the project.
A highlight of the rail link is the train’s passage over the Chenab Bridge, the world’s tallest railway bridge, towering at 359 metres—higher than the Eiffel Tower. Constructed at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore, the bridge used 30,000 metric tonnes of steel and was designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 260 kilometres per hour. The Chenab Bridge has already become a symbol of engineering excellence in India.
The inspection follows a tweet from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, hinting that rail service to Kashmir could commence in January. Sources indicate that CRS Deswal will revisit the Katra-Banihal rail link in the first week of January for a final inspection, solidifying hopes of its timely launch.
Earlier this year, the Katra-Banihal section witnessed its first trial run in June. A train carrying project employees and railway officials travelled from Sangaldan to Reasi. Upon its arrival at Reasi Railway Station, locals gathered to celebrate, chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” in anticipation. (KNO)
