Railway officials inspect Chakki bridge

Train services on the Pathankot–Joginder Nagar narrow gauge section are likely to resume within a week, following a comprehensive safety inspection of the newly constructed Chakki Railway Bridge by the Jammu division of Northern Railway.

The train service had been suspended in August 2022 after the collapse of the old Chakki bridge at Kandwal in Nurpur. On Tuesday evening, Dinesh Deshwal, Commissioner of Railway Safety (Northern Railway), along with Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Vivek Kumar and a technical team, carried out an inspection of the newly built interstate bridge.

The commissioner began with an inspection of Pathankot City railway station. He reviewed passenger amenities, the signalling system and safety standards. A speed trial was also conducted from Pathankot to Nurpur Road railway station via the Chakki Railway Bridge at Kandwal. During the inspection, Deshwal examined the bridge’s girders, track alignment and other safety parameters. He also assessed the status of modernisation and infrastructure at various railway stations between Nurpur and Baijnath.

According to Vivek, the suspended services are expected to be restored within a week, subject to a positive report from the Commissioner.

Meanwhile, local commuters at Nagrota Surian railway station met the DRM. They submitted a memorandum highlighting issues faced by passengers on the narrow-gauge section.

Their demands included immediate restoration of train services, construction of a Railway Board rest house at Nagrota Surian station, and strengthening of passenger facilities to harness tourism potential linked to the International Ramsar Site and wildlife sanctuary at Pong Wetland in the area. They also called for a permanent solution to recurring monsoon disruptions caused by landslides near Ranital railway station. The officials heard their grievances and assured them that the issues raised would be addressed on priority.