Two-Day Safety Evaluation of Reasi-Banihal Railway Link Commences
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Jammu, Dec 16 (NationPress) The Commissioner of Railway Safety initiated an inspection of the rail track extending from Reasi to Banihal town on Monday. This track serves as the final link for the Vande Bharat train service, which is projected to become operational by January 2025.
With the crucial inspection of the Reasi-Banihal rail track slated for the first week of January 2025, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project will be deemed ready for operations.
The two-day inspection commenced on Monday and will proceed through Tuesday as part of the technical safety approval process led by the Commissioner of Railway Safety.
Dinesh Chand Deswal, the Commissioner of Railway Safety, is accompanied by a team of rail safety specialists who will scrutinize and approve every aspect of the project’s infrastructure.
The final trial run of the Katra-Banihal section was conducted in June of this year, showcasing a train journey between the Sangaldan and Reasi railway stations.
Tuesday’s inspection will cover the Kodi to Katra link, which features the cable bridge over Anji Khad.
One of the most remarkable features of the USBRL is the railway bridge spanning the Chenab River, recognized as the world’s tallest railway bridge, soaring an impressive 359 meters above the ground—higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The construction of this bridge required an investment of Rs 1486 crores and utilized 30,000 tonnes of steel.
This visionary project is set to significantly enhance the economy of the Valley, with particular benefits for the horticulture sector. It will facilitate the most affordable transportation of products like apples to terminal markets across the country.
Moreover, it will realize the aspirations of industrialists, businessmen, students, and the general populace.
The Vande Bharat train is expected to cover the distance from Delhi to Srinagar in approximately 12 hours.
