India’s rail milestone: Last monitor of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla hyperlink accomplished

In a submit on X, he wrote, “Historic milestone; last monitor work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Hyperlink is full. The ballastless monitor work for the three.2 km-long Tunnel T-33, positioned on the foothills of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and connecting Katra to Reasi, was efficiently accomplished at present at 02:00 hrs.”

An necessary milestone in India’s railway connection is anticipated to be reached in January 2025 when the primary direct prepare between the nation’s capital and Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, begins service. The third model of the Vande Bharat prepare would be the new Delhi-Srinagar sleeper prepare, which would cut back the 800-kilometre journey time to lower than 13 hours.

Subsequent month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to formally open the final 17 kilometres of the mammoth 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Hyperlink (USBRL) Undertaking between Reasi and Katra.

The area’s connectivity with the remainder of the nation can be improved with the completion of the USBRL Undertaking and the launch of direct Vande Bharat trains between Kashmir and Delhi. Along with addressing logistical points, this may increase financial enlargement and encourage journey. The route might in the end attain Baramulla in North Kashmir after first connecting Delhi and Srinagar.

The well-known Chenab Bridge, the world’s tallest railway bridge, can be a part of the monitor and can improve the picturesque route connecting Delhi and Srinagar.

The Historical past of the Delhi-Srinagar Rail System

Throughout the time of Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, the USBRL Undertaking was initially sanctioned in 1995 at an estimated price of ₹2,500 crore. Nonetheless, it gained momentum after then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee designated it as a nationwide initiative in 2002.

Section-by-Section Building of the Hyperlink

2009: The 118-kilometre Baramulla-Qazigund stretch was accomplished.

2013: PM Manmohan Singh prolonged to Banihal.

2014: The Udhampur-Katra section opened.

2023: The Banihal-Sangaldan part opened.

BEML is producing the Vande Bharat Sleeper Prepare, which Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched in September 2024. The undertaking, which has already price greater than ₹35,000 crore, has the potential to fully remodel regional connections.

The 800-kilometre journey from Kashmir to Delhi will probably be accomplished in lower than 13 hours by the direct rail.

Prepare Schedule and Stops Between Delhi and Srinagar

The prepare will present an in a single day journey, leaving New Delhi at 19:00 and reaching Srinagar by 08:00 the next day. Key places alongside the route embody:

Cantt Junction in Ambala

Junction of Ludhiana

Kathua

Tawi Jammu

Sangaldan Banihal, also called Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra

Value of Tickets on the Delhi to Srinagar Prepare

Travellers may have three choices for air-conditioned lodging:

AC 3 Tier (3A): round 2,000 rupees

Two-tier AC (2A): round ₹2,500

AC Class I (1A): round ₹3,000