JAMMU, Jan 19: A 22-bogie train successfully completed its trial run between Katra and Srinagar railway stations on Sunday, marking a historic step in the long-awaited project to connect Kashmir with the rest of India by rail.
The train, comprising 18 AC coaches, two luggage carriers, and two engines, departed from Katra railway station at 8 am and reached its destination in four hours under the close supervision of railway authorities. This milestone trial run follows the authorisation of the newly completed broad-gauge line by Commissioner of Railway Safety (Northern Circle), Dinesh Chand Deshwal, on January 13.
Deshwal’s seven-page approval letter to the Ministry of Railways and railway authorities was based on a thorough inspection conducted on January 7 and 8. The inspection included a motor trolley and on-foot review of the Katra-Reasi section, followed by a speed trial from Katra to Banihal. The line has been cleared for passenger and freight operations, with a maximum permissible speed of 85 km/h on the main line and 15 km/h at turnouts.
The dream of connecting Kashmir by rail has faced significant geological, topographical, and meteorological challenges since work began in 1997, resulting in multiple delays. Out of the total 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, 209 km was commissioned in phases. Key milestones include the 118-km Qazigund-Baramulla section in October 2009, the 18-km Banihal-Qazigund section in June 2013, the 25-km Udhampur-Katra section in July 2014, and the 48.1-km Banihal-Sangaldan stretch in February 2024.
The final 17-km stretch between Reasi and Katra was completed in December 2024, as announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This achievement follows the completion of the Sangaldan-Reasi section in June last year.
Earlier this month, an electric train trial on the Katra-Banihal section was conducted successfully on January 4. Over the past month, the railways have carried out six trials across various sections of the track, including the iconic Anji Khad and Chenab bridges.
The successful trial run on this crucial link is a significant step toward the official opening of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, promising to enhance connectivity, economic development, and ease of travel for the people of the region.
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