BuzzBytes Jammu, February 20, 2024– In a historic moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the longest railway tunnel in India on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) today. The 12.77-km-long T-50 tunnel, a feat of engineering, is a crucial part of the 48.1-km Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section.Marking the occasion, Prime Minister Modi flagged off the first electrified trains of the Kashmir valley, emphasizing the transformative impact on the region’s connectivity. The Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section’s opening enables trains to run from Baramulla to Sangaldan, a significant extension beyond the previous last station, Banihal.This achievement is the result of nearly 14 years of dedicated effort, with tunnel work commencing in 2010. Safety measures include an escape tunnel parallel to T-50, connecting passages at regular intervals, and water pipes for firefighting. The completion of this section brings the ambitious dream of a train journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari one step closer.The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, totaling 272 km, holds further infrastructural marvels, such as the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, and the Anji Bridge, the first cable-stayed bridge of the Indian Railways. The overall project cost is Rs 41,119 crore.This achievement not only enhances regional connectivity but also underscores the commitment to modernizing India’s railway infrastructure. The successful completion of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section is a testament to the collaboration between the government and railway officials, bringing us closer to a seamlessly connected nation.
Prime Minister Modi Inaugurates India’s Longest Rail Tunnel on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link
