Train to Kashmir to Commence Soon, As The Project Gets A Green Signal.

Kashmir Train Project Receives Approval, Services to Begin Soon

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Pinky Deshmukh

Last Updated: January 16, 2025

Summary: Once the CRS inspection and railway safety audit under the Ministry of Civil Aviation is done, the train can begin its operations. A source confirmed, that for security reasons, the train will only run during days.

Officials said on Wednesday that the train link to Kashmir is now prepared to start operations after the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) approved the 17-kilometer Katra-Reasi section, the last phase of the ambitious project.

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link's Katra-Reasi segment was approved for passenger and freight operations by the railway safety commissioner, completing the project and opening the way for commercial train service throughout the whole length.

While turning speeds are restricted to 15 kmph, trains will travel up to 85 kmph on the main line. However, there are some limits and conditions tied to the authorization.

A specially designed inspection train pulled by an electric locomotive and outfitted with oscillation monitoring system (OMS) technology was used for the speed tests. With top speeds of 110 kmph, the tests were conducted on the up and down routes between Banihal and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra.

In 1994-95, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla project, sometimes known as the Kashmir line, was approved. By 2014, all three stages were fully finished. In the Jammu region, trains have been operating between Jammu, Udhampur, and Katra, as well as between Banihal and Baramulla in the Kashmir valley. The most difficult part to build, however, was the 111-kilometer Katra-Banihal segment because of the rugged terrain.

According to one of the CRS's observations, he wrote “A proper system of monitoring and reviewing the instrumentation data of the important and special bridges, ie, Bridge No. 225 (Chenab Bridge), 217 (Anji Bridge), 224 (Bakkal Bridge), and 220 (Reasi Bridge), shall be established by CBE/NR. RDSO should monitor the data generated by the instrumentation quarterly for the first five years of operations."

The CRS also suggested in the report that the railways should build helipads for emergency circumstances because of the section's numerous tunnels and bridges and lack of road access. According to the assessment, the segment should be closely monitored along with other systems because it also has a ballastless track. Additionally, it notes that some areas still lack adequate soil erosion controls.

A railway official said, “This was the only remaining section pending authorization. We have now received it. It will take a few more days, and we can then expect the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”