WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: Indian Railways marked a historic milestone by successfully completing a high-speed trial run on the challenging Katra-Banihal section under the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
The trial, conducted at a speed of 110 km/h on the 180-degree rising grade, represents a significant advancement in efforts to connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country via a direct rail link.
The Northern Circle’s Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Dinesh Chand Deshwal, who oversaw the trial, described it as a new chapter in the history of the Railways.
“The trial run was smooth and filled us with a sense of fulfillment. The credit for this success goes to our engineers who have done exceptional work in such challenging geography,” Deshwal said while addressing reporters at Banihal station.
The trial train departed from Katra station at 10:30 AM and covered the distance to Banihal in just one and a half hours, reaching the station by 12:00 PM. The return journey commenced at 2:00 PM and concluded at Katra by 3:30 PM, making the total travel time for the 111-kilometer section three hours across both journeys.
This was the final high-speed trial on the newly completed track, and data collected during the two-day statutory inspection will now undergo analysis. Deshwal emphasized that the Centre would take a decision regarding the launch of direct rail services to Kashmir after reviewing the report.
“The inspection and trial runs have been satisfactory so far. Our infrastructure is outstanding, and very soon, a fair decision will be made based on the report,” he added.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier announced the completion of the Reasi-Katra section in December, terming it a significant step in the USBRL project. The project, initiated in 1997, has faced numerous delays due to geological, topographical, and meteorological challenges. Despite these setbacks, Indian Railways has commissioned 209 kilometers of the 272-kilometer USBRL project in phases.
Last month, an electric train trial was successfully conducted on the Katra-Banihal section, followed by six additional trial runs over various segments of the track, including the engineering marvels of the Anji Khad and Chenab bridges.
The USBRL project aims to integrate Kashmir into the national railway network, overcoming decades of isolation due to the region’s challenging terrain. “The success of this trial not only highlights the technical prowess of Indian Railways but also brings the dream of seamless rail connectivity to Kashmir closer to reality,” Deshwal said.
