Successful speed trial paves way for first train to Valley

The final obstacle to link Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country through rail was overcome on Wednesday when the Northern Circle Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) conducted a successful speed trial on the Katra-Banihal rail route paving the way for the first train to start operations soon.

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The CRS, Dinesh Chand Deshwal, said that data gathered during the two-day inspection of the rail line would be analysed and shared with the Centre after which a decision to start a train to the Valley would be taken.

“High speed trial run was successful from both directions from Katra to Banihal and vice versa. The train chugged at a speed of 110 kmph. The trial was successful. The alignment of the track has been built with precision despite that fact that there were many challenges during construction but the engineers have used their experience and expertise,” the CRS told mediapersons.

He said that after the data is analysed for precise details of the trials, the Centre will take a decision to start a train.

The trial train left Katra station at 10:30 am and reached Banihal station within one-and-a-half hours. The train left for Katra on its return journey at 2 pm and reached its destination by 3:30 pm.

Of the total 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link (USBRL) project, 209 km were commissioned in phases.

The inspection was also conducted on the cable-stayed Anji Khad bridge and Arc Chenab bridge in Reasi district.

The CRS also held inspection of tunnels and tracks between Katra and Banihal section to minutely check the alignment and other details of the track. The tracks were earlier tested for load. On Saturday, a train trial run was conducted on the Katra-Banihal section of the track.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently inaugurated a separate railway division for Jammu. During the virtual inauguration from Delhi, the PM stated that J&K is achieving new milestones in railway infrastructure with the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line, which is being discussed all over the country.

The creation of the Jammu Railway Division, with 742.1 km comprising Pathankot-Jammu- Udhampur - Srinagar - Baramulla, Bhogpur Sirwal - Pathankot, Batala - Pathankot and Pathankot to Joginder Nagar sections, is believed to significantly benefit J&K and surrounding regions.