Railway Marvel Unveiled: Banihal-Sangaldan Section Sparks Excitement in Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Journey

BuzzBytes Jammu 17 Feb 2024:Indian Railways is set to inaugurate the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section, a pivotal 48.1-kilometer stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, on February 20. This project, spanning challenging terrain in the Pir Panjal ranges, aims to establish an all-weather transportation network connecting remote Himalayan areas to the rest of the country.The USBRL project, considered one of the most ambitious Himalayan railway projects post-Independence, seeks to integrate the Kashmir Valley with the Jammu region and the national rail network. Out of the total length of 272 kilometers, 161 kilometers have already been commissioned.The newly completed Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section, constructed at a cost of Rs 15,863 crore, is ready for operation. It features 16 bridges, 11 major ones, four minor ones, and one road overbridge. Over 90% of this section consists of tunnels, including the country’s longest transportation tunnel, T-50, stretching 12.77 kilometers in the Khari-Sumber section. For safety and rescue, three escape tunnels with a combined length of 30.1 kilometers have been incorporated.The section also includes 30 curves spanning 23.72 kilometers. Advanced features like ballastless tracks and canted turnouts, a first for Indian Railways, enhance passenger safety and comfort. CCTV monitoring, state-of-the-art tunnel-safety technology, ventilation, and firefighting systems further contribute to safety measures.Regarding electrification, the Baramulla-Srinagar-Banihal-Sangaldan section, spanning 185.66 route kilometers and serving 19 railway stations, is complete. Constructed for Rs 470.23 crore, this electrification enables the operation of Vande Bharat trains. Noteworthy features include 25-KV OHE inside the longest operational tunnel (Tunnel T-80 in the Banihal-Quazigund section), specialized equipment for high-altitude operations, and 132/33-KV traction substations at altitudes exceeding 1,600 meters above sea level.The inauguration is expected to be carried out virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, although official confirmation is pending. The completion of this section is a significant step toward realizing the vision of connecting Srinagar with Kanyakumari, marking a crucial achievement for the USBRL project.