Indian Railways will start train services on the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section, the 48.1-km stretch of the country’s most ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line project, from February 20 important road section.

“We will further realize our dream of connecting Srinagar and Konyakumari,” a railway source told PTI.

“The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) project is one of the most ambitious Himalayan railway projects since independence,” he added.

According to railway sources, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to officially inaugurate the stretch with a train from Sangardan. However, this matter is yet to be officially confirmed.

Talking about the project, a senior railway official said, “The USBRL spans the challenging terrain of the Pir Panjal range and aims to create an all-weather, comfortable and economically viable transport network linking the remote Himalayan region with the rest of the country. Connected.” The USBRL project aims to integrate the Kashmir Valley with the Jammu region and the national railway network and has a total length of 272 kilometers, of which 161 kilometers are already operational.

According to Railways, the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section constructed at a cost of Rs 15,863 crore is ready for operations and the existing train services from Baramulla to Banihal will now be extended to the nearby town of Sangaldan. Ramban Regional Headquarters.

“It has 16 bridges – 11 major bridges, 4 minor bridges and a road overpass. More than 90% of this section is tunnel, with a total of 11 tunnels for a total length of 43.37 kilometers, including the country’s longest transport tunnel T -50, stretching 12.77 kilometers on the Khari-Sumber section,” the project said.

“For safety and rescue, there are 3 escape tunnels with a total length of 30.1 kilometers. In addition, the section also includes 30 curves spanning 23.72 kilometers. To further improve the safety and comfort of passengers, we have introduced some advanced features such as Ballastless tracks and inclined switches (a first for Indian Railways),” he added.

In addition, CCTV surveillance and state-of-the-art tunnel safety technology including ventilation and fire protection systems are other additional safety features.

Sources said that as far as electrification is concerned, the Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section of the USBRL project has been completed, which has a total length of 185.66 RKM (route kilometers) and serves 19 railway stations.

“Constructed at a cost of Rs 470.23 crore, the project uses electrification technology to operate state-of-the-art Vande Bharat trains on this stretch. Other noteworthy features include the longest operational tunnel (T-80 tunnel in Banihal-Quazigund section) 25 KV OHE, specialized equipment for working at heights and 132/33-KV traction substation at an altitude of over 1,600 MSL,” sources said.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)