Greater than 75 per cent of the overall 37 bridges and 97.6 per cent tunnelling work on the important Katra-Banihal railway hyperlink stands accomplished, officers of the northern railways mentioned, expressing hope that Kashmir will probably be linked to remainder of the nation through prepare subsequent yr. The Katra-Banihal stretch is a part of the distinguished Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Hyperlink (USBRL) Challenge which has missed a number of deadlines previously amid big price escalations since 1997, when the then Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda laid its basis at Udhampur.
In view of the significance of the USBRL mission in offering seamless and hassle-free connectivity, the 272-Km-long railway line mission was declared as a ‘nationwide mission’ in 2002. Whereas the 161 km was commissioned in phases with first part 118-km Qazigund-Baramulla part commissioned in October 2009 adopted by 18-km Banihal-Qazigund in June 2013 and 25-km Udhampur-Katra in July 2014.
“The intervening stretch of the Katra-Banihal section (111 km) is in progress. This is, perhaps, the most difficult new railway line project undertaken in the Indian subcontinent. This section predominantly involves tunnelling of 164 Km (97.57 km main tunnel and 66.4 km of escape tunnel), in addition to construction of 37 bridges on Chenab river and its tributary Anji Khad,” an official mentioned.
At current, he mentioned 160.52 Km of tunnelling (95.47 km of foremost tunnel and 65.05 km of escape tunnel) and 28 bridges, out of complete 37 have been accomplished, the official mentioned. He mentioned the work on the mission is occurring in full swing and “we are hopeful about commissioning the final phase to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country next year.”
Referring to the completion of the overarch deck of Chenab railway bridge in Reasi district with the laying of the ‘golden joint’ on August 13 as a milestone, the official mentioned the “minor” works on the practically 1.3 km bridge is predicted to be accomplished by November this yr.
The paradigmatic bridge is situated 359 m above the Chenab riverbed in Kauri village and is 30 m greater than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. As soon as accomplished, the bridge will be capable to face up to winds with pace as much as 260 kmph and can have a lifespan of 120 years, the official mentioned.
The mission has different firsts just like the longest railway tunnel having total size of 12.75 km located between Sumber and Arpinchala in Sangaldan space of Ramban district which has been made by way of on February 15 and first cable-stayed bridge which when accomplished could be an engineering marvel of twenty first century.
As well as, the official mentioned a 205-Km entry highway has additionally been accomplished which supplies connectivity to remote and inaccessible distant areas, resulting in socio-economic improvement of the native residents.
The cumulative expenditure on Katra-Banihal part as much as June is Rs 23,071 crore, he mentioned. The officers mentioned the electrification work on the railway line from Banihal to Baramulla is in progress and is more likely to be accomplished by October.
