Two-Day Railway Safety Inspection Begins for Reasi-Banihal Link.

The Commissioner of Railway Safety commenced a two-day inspection of the Reasi-Banihal rail track recently, a key segment of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. This track is the final connection needed for the Vande Bharat train service, expected to begin operations by January 2025.

The inspection is part of the technical safety approval process, with Dinesh Chand Deswal, the Commissioner of Railway Safety, accompanied by a team of rail safety experts. They will thoroughly examine the project’s infrastructure, ensuring all details meet safety standards.

The final inspection for the vital Reasi-Banihal rail track is scheduled for the first week of January 2025, after which the USBRL project will be ready for operations.

The inspection also includes a review of the Kodi to Katra link, including the cable bridge over Anji Khad. A notable feature of the USBRL project is the Chenab River railway bridge, the world’s tallest railway bridge, standing at 359 meters—higher than the Eiffel Tower. The bridge, constructed with ₹1,486 crore and 30,000 tonnes of steel, is a key engineering marvel.

Once completed, the USBRL project will significantly boost the economy of the Kashmir Valley, particularly the horticulture sector, by providing low-cost transportation for agricultural produce like apples. The project is also expected to benefit students, businesspeople, and residents, offering faster and more efficient travel between Delhi and Srinagar, with the Vande Bharat train expected to cover the journey in around 12 hours.

ET