SRINAGAR: The Union Territory Government has said that Jammu-Baramulla railway line project once completed will act as a catalyst towards accelerated development, progress, and prosperity in the region.
This all-weather and cost-effective connectivity shall prove to be a boon for economy of J&K besides catalyzing industrialization, movement of raw material, trade, tourism and employment generation as well.
Sustainable connectivity to this region is very important for national security, prosperity and socio-economic development of the region. Despite vast resources, Kashmir valley lagged behind in terms of development due to lack of railway connectivity. After the abrogation of Article 370, central and UT governments made serious efforts to establish rail connectivity to the region for which a number of railway projects have been initiated which are under execution in different stages.
The Central government has declared the project as National Project in view of its significance for the nation. Institutions like IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee, Geographical Survey of India and DRDO are providing expertise in the project planning and it’s implementation. This route will also see construction of world’s highest railway bridge and India’s first cable-stayed Railway Bridge.
After completion, this line will be an all-weather convenient and cost-effective mass transportation system and will act as a catalyst for overall development of the northernmost alpine region of the country.
This project has great significance for security and socio-economic development. It can play important role in rapid industrialization, movement of raw materials and finished products from J&K and encourage trade and tourism in the region apart from providing opportunity for employment, an official said. Similarly, it will be a boon for development of agriculture, horticulture and floriculture of this area, he added.
The construction of first 3 phases of the railway project has been completed and the line is operational between Banihal – Baramulla in Kashmir Valley and Jammu-Udhampur-Katra in Jammu region. Besides, work on intervening 111 km of Katra-Banihal section is going on which is the most challenging portion for construction due to its geology and extensive Riverine system with deep gorges.
According to a senior official of Northern Railways, Kashmir valley would be connected to Jammu and rest of the country during 2023, providing efficient connectivity to Kashmir valley with other parts of the country through rail network.
The main tunnel of T-49, the longest tunnel of Indian Railways, between Sumber and Arpinchala station of Katra-Banihal section of Udhampur- Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project has been connected successfully.
After completion of this project, it would be a splendid project of engineering of 21st century and this project will write a new story of development, progress, prosperity and security of the nation.
The world’s highest bridge being built over Chenab in the Union Territory will be completed by September this year.
“As you all know that the world’s highest railway bridge over Chenab is being built. It will be completed in September this year which will fulfill our motive of connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari,” Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said.
The Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest rail bridge that will connect Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country by rail route, is designed to withstand earthquakes of magnitude eight on the Richter Scale.
The work for Reasi railway station in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, a part of Jammu-Bara is in the final leg. The concrete slabs have been laid at bridge number 39 built over 105 ft gorge. Of all the pillars installed for the bridge, height of the middle one is more than that of Qutab Minar. The height of pylon above the foundation is 193 metre. The bridge is 331 metre above sea level.
