December 20 in Srinagar: The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is one of the most difficult train projects in the country since independence, according to Ashwini Vaishnaw, the train minister, on Wednesday.
When BJP MPs Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Bidyut Baran Mahato, and Jugal Kishore Sharma asked about expanding the train network in Jammu and Kashmir, Vaishnaw pointed out how hard it would be because the Himalayas are still young and full of natural surprises and challenges.
“It was said that the USBRL project is paying for the work on the new line in Jammu and Kashmir.” Vaishnaw said, “Of the total 272 km of the project, 161 km have already been put into service.” Besides that, he said that the 111-km Katra-Banihal stretch is currently being built and will cost a total of Rs 37,012 crore. The minister spoke about the big costs that had been spent up to March 2023, which came to 34,261 crore, and the planned costs for the next year, which will come to 5,310 crore.
When talking about the problems that have to be solved on the Katra-Banihal part, Vaishnaw said that a lot of it is digging, with 97.42 km out of a total of 111 km being tunnels. It was noted that Tunnel T-49, which is part of the transportation train system, is the largest tunnel in the country at 12.77 km. Also, the minister talked about how the world’s tallest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Reasi District was finished. It is 1,315 meters long, has a 467-meter arch span, and is 359 meters above the riverbed.
Besides the USBRL, Vaishnaw talked about the final site studies for a number of other lines, such as the doubling of the Baramulla-Banihal stretch and the construction of new lines between Baramulla and Uri, Sopore and Kupwara, Awantipora and Shopian, and Anantnag and Bijbehara.
In talking about the project’s social and economic effects, the minister said that it created jobs and saved over 553 lakh man-days of work. Besides that, he talked about building more than 215 km of approach roads and making changes to traveler services and facilities. It was said that the USBRL project cut down on trip time, which made it easier for people to move. As a reassurance, Vaishnaw said that safety measures are in line with international standards. These include firing systems, mechanical air systems in tunnels, and RPF staff watching over trains to make sure passengers are safe.
Vaishnaw said that the growth of the train lines in Jammu and Kashmir was good for the area because it improved transportation and connections, brought in more tourists, and made it easier for goods and services to move around.
