Srinagar- The Jammu-Srinagar train is likely to chug on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) after January 20.
Officials said that final preparations are being made to connect Kashmir with Kanyakumari through a railway network.
In connection with trains to Kashmir, the Railway Ministry has decided to set up a new division with headquarters at Jammu under the Northern Railway Zone by reorganising the Firozpur division.
The Jammu division, according to the officials, is proposed to have five sections — Pathankot-Jammu-Udhampur, Srinagar-Baramulla, Bhogpur Sirwal-Pathankot, Batala (excluding)-Pathankot, and Pathankot-Joginder Nagar. The combined length of the section will be 742.1 km.
According to railway officials, there are currently 68 rail divisions under 17 railway zones and Jammu will become the 69th division.
Meanwhile, Northern Railway on Friday announced train timings for the Katra-Srinagar route.
According to the timing schedule, the Vande Bharat Express train will depart from Katra at 8:10 a.m. and arrive in Srinagar at 11:20 a.m.
Mail Express will run twice every day from Katra — departure at 9:50 a.m. and arrival in Srinagar at 1:10 pm; departure at 3:00 p.m. and arrival in Srinagar at 6:20 pm
Train timings from Srinagar to Katra for the Mail Express: departure from Srinagar at 8.55 am and arrival in Katra at 12:05 pm The second run will be at 3:10 pm and arrival in Katra is at 6:30 pm.
Vande Bharat will depart from Srinagar at 12.45 p.m. and arrive in Katra at 3:55 pm
The Vande Bharat train will start at 7 pm from Delhi and arrive in Srinagar at 8 am.
Notably, the much-awaited Katra-Srinagar rail link is a part of the larger Udhampur-Srinagar-Batamulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which has been hailed as an engineering marvel. The USBRL project is seen as one of the most challenging railway infrastructure developments globally, with the Chenab Rail Bridge standing as a testament to this feat.
Moreover, the bridge, located between Bakkal and Kauri in Reasi district, is the highest rail bridge in the world, soaring 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the Chenab River. It also holds the distinction of being the highest arch bridge worldwide.
It is worth mentioning, the Chenab Rail Bridge was completed and inaugurated in August 2022 and plays a crucial role in the connectivity provided by the USBRL. This rail link is expected to revolutionize transportation in the region, bringing a major uplift to tourism, trade, horticulture, and education, while changing the travel landscape for residents and visitors to the Kashmir Valley.
Special Inspection Train On Jan 5
A special inspection train is set to operate from Srinagar to Jammu on January 5, marking a historic milestone in the region’s railway network.
Reports said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will announce the establishment of the Jammu Railway Division via video conferencing on January 6. The announcement will take place in the presence of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, underscoring the importance of the project for the region.
The Union Railway Minister is scheduled to visit the Srinagar Railway Station on January 5 to inspect the ongoing works under the USBRL (Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link) project, which is a key component of the Kashmir rail initiative.
Further inspections are scheduled for January 7 and 8, when Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) Dinesh Chand Deshwal will assess the Reasi-Katra section of the Kashmir rail project. This section, known for its challenging terrain, is a crucial link in the overall project aimed at improving transportation and economic opportunities in the region.
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