Govt. fast tracks Katra- Banihal rail link

The construction work on the 105 km long railway link between Katra and Banihal, which is described as the toughest mountainous link, is all set to start shortly. The stretch will involve most of the tunneling work and also the highest railway bridge in Asia on the Chenab River being built which will be an engineering marvel. The link between Katra and Banihal was scheduled to be completed in 2016 but owing to five PILs pending in the State High Court and now the court has disposed all of them with this, the path has been cleared for resumption of work on the said link and hoped that the link would be completed by ending December 2018. The news has sent cheer to the people of the country in general and to those in J&K in particular, as this is a vital and very sensitive link, not only for the people of landlocked valley but also for the defence forces as they would receive supplies regularly, besides bringing about drastic change in the economic, social and cultural life. The commissioning of the project will open avenues of employment; give big boost to trade and commerce of the valley especially the export of Kashmir's fruit and vegetables.