Srinagar, Dec 20 (KNS): The Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said on Wednesday that the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project stands out as one of the most challenging railway endeavors in the country since Independence.
Responding to queries from BJP MPs Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Bidyut Baran Mahato, and Jugal Kishore Sharma regarding railway network expansion in Jammu and Kashmir, Vaishnaw highlighted the difficulties posed by the young Himalayan terrain, full of geological surprises and challenges.
"It was mentioned that the work of the new line in Jammu and Kashmir is being undertaken under the USBRL project. Out of the total 272 km of the project, it was mentioned that 161 km has already been commissioned," stated Vaishnaw. He further mentioned that the Katra-Banihal section, covering 111 km, is currently under construction, with an anticipated project cost of Rs 37,012 crore. The minister mentioned the significant expenditure of ?34,261 crore incurred up to March 2023 and an allocated outlay of ?5,310 crore for the year 2023-24.
Addressing the challenges faced in the Katra-Banihal section, Vaishnaw mentioned that a predominant portion involves tunneling, with 87% of the total length (97.42 km out of 111 km) within tunnels. Notably, it was mentioned that the longest transportation railway tunnel in the country, Tunnel T-49, spans 12.77 km. The minister also mentioned the completion of the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Reasi District, boasting impressive dimensions of 1,315 meters in length, a 467-meter arch span, and a height of 359 meters above the river bed.
Apart from the USBRL, Vaishnaw mentioned that the final location surveys for several lines, including the doubling of Baramulla-Banihal section, new lines of Baramulla-Uri, Sopore-Kupwara, Awantipora-Shopian, and Anantnag-Bijbehara-Pahalgam, were mentioned.
On the socio-economic impact, the minister mentioned the USBRL project's contribution to employment generation, providing over 553 lakh man-days of indirect employment. He also mentioned the construction of over 215 km of approach roads and improvements in passenger services and facilities. The USBRL project was mentioned to have reduced travel time, making the travel experience more comfortable for passengers. Vaishnaw reassured that safety provisions adhere to international norms, including mechanical ventilation systems in tunnels, firefighting systems, and RPF staff escorting trains for passenger safety.
Vaishnaw said that the rail line expansion in Jammu and Kashmir was significantly benefiting local communities and businesses by enhancing transportation, connectivity, boosting tourism, and facilitating the movement of goods and services, marking a positive development for the region.(KNS)