In a significant advancement for railway accessibility to Kashmir, a trial train successfully traversed the Katra-Banihal segment on Saturday.
This achievement is a crucial phase leading up to the statutory safety inspection planned for the following week, which will determine when rail services can officially commence in the region.
#Video | Successful trial run on Katra-Banihal section of Kashmir Rail Project! The train crosses the Anji Khad bridge en route to Banihal. #AnjiKhadBridge #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/r4Ab9lcn7Q
— newspointJ&K (@NewspointjK) January 4, 2025
"The trial was conducted as part of our safety measures, and we participated in the successful run," Sandeep Gupta, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), told reporters.
Over the past month, the Railways has carried out six trials on different track segments, achieving significant engineering milestones, including India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, and the remarkable Chenab Arch Bridge at Kauri, recognised as the highest railway bridge in the world.
Gupta said that the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is set to oversee statutory inspections and trials on January 7 and 8.
"Following this, a report will be submitted by the commissioner, which will inform the next steps regarding the launch of train services to Kashmir," he said He added, "Everything has gone well thus far. We will retread to Katra at a speed of 75 km/h. During the Commissioner of Railway Safety's trials, speeds will reach 110 km/h. This trial is a precursor to that".
A pivotal moment is expected on January 5, 2025, when a special inspection train will run between Srinagar and Jammu to evaluate ongoing railway projects. The union railway minister is also scheduled to personally visit the Srinagar Railway Station that same day to assess the progress of the USBRL initiative. On January 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually announce the creation of the Jammu Railway Division, in an event that will include Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, highlighting the project's significance for the region's development.
Commissioner Dinesh Chand Deshwal will carry out a thorough inspection of the Reasi-Katra section of the USBRL project on January 7 and 8, 2025. This section, known for its difficult terrain, is essential for completing the rail link.
The USBRL project is poised to revolutionise connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, fostering economic development and ensuring smooth transportation for the region's residents. With these advancements, the long-anticipated rail connection to the Kashmir Valley is becoming increasingly feasible.
