Railway Ministry fast-tracks ₹4,200-cr Udhampur-Baramulla line

Railway Ministry has fast tracked the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line involving an investment of ₹4,200 crore in J&K where the construction work was not halted during the current Covid-19 wave. Declared as a National Project in 2002, the USBRL has 272 Km length from Udhampur to Baramulla, connecting the valley of Kashmir with the rest of India. The 25 km long Udhampur – Katra section was commissioned in July 2014. The 118 km long Quazigund – Baramulla section was commissioned in October 2009, and thereafter the 18 km long Banihal – Quazigund section was commissioned in June 2013 while the construction work on the 111 km long Katra to Banihal section is currently in full swing and is expected to be completed by 2023. Among other major achievements, the world highest railway bridge's arch closure was carried out successfully in April this year. However, due to a rise in Covid-19 cases, the area around kauri end of this bridge has been declared as a micro containment zone and certain restrictions have been imposed. Out of 193 metres of Main Pylon, 130 metres completed and also, cumulative assembly of segments (55 metres) and launching of 30 metres has been achieved. At Bridge Number 39 in Reasi area, launching of 32 metres length was carried out in April and 15 metres in May this year. At Bridge Number 43 in Bakkal in Reasi area, launching of 42.5 metres length in April and 9 metres in May and also a total of 1.46 Km Tunnel Mining was executed recently and 0.78 km was completed in May itself.