The valley is not far
Passing through difficult mountainous terrain, the UdhampurSrinagarBaramulla Rail Link is expected to provide yearround connectivity to the Kashmir Valley
nissar.ahmad@thehindu.co.in
At a height of 359 metre over the river Chenab, taller than the Eiffel tower in Paris, the Chenab bridge is the world’s highest railway bridge. The arch bridge will connect Bakkal and Kauri villages in Reasi district of Jammu division in Jammu and Kashmir. The engineering marvel lies in the seismic zone IV, and can withstand earthquakes up to a magnitude of 8 on the Richter scale, highintensity blasts, and winds up to speeds of 260 kilometre per hour.
The bridge, expected to become functional later this year, is part of the UdhampurSrinagarBaramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project of the Indian Railways. Passing through difficult mountainous terrain, the project includes several major bridges and tunnels, including the Pir Panjal tunnel — India’s longest railway tunnel at over 11 kilometre in length. The USBRL aims at connecting J&K’s summer capital Srinagar with the rest of India’s rail network.
Construction work on the bridge began in 2004 but was suspended in 200809, considering safety issues due to frequent highvelocity winds in the area. However, the work resumed in 2010. The bridge is expected to have a lifespan of 120 years.
On February 20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off various rail projects in J&K including the new 48km railway line between BanihalKhariSumberSangaldan and the newly electrified BaramullaSrinagarBanihalSangaldan section (185.66 km). The Prime Minister also flagged off the first electric train in the Kashmir valley and a train service between Sangaldan and Baramulla stations. There are at least eight tunnels between Sangaldan and the beginning of Chenab Bridge, which connects Jammu with Kashmir. The project also includes the Anji Bridge, the first cablestayed bridge of Indian Railways.
The partial commissioning of USBRL, which includes the BanihalKhariSumberSangaldan section, is significant as it features the usage of Ballastless Track (BLT) all along the route, providing a better riding experience to the passengers.
As of now, the operational extent of the railway line is till Udhampur district in Jammu. In the Valley, the operational section is from Banihal in southern Kashmir to the border district of Baramulla in northern Kashmir.
The only road link to the Valley, NH44, often remains closed in winter months due to snowfall, landslides and other natural calamities. This strategic rail link can provide connectivity during such conditions while also providing the armed forces an efficient transport system to access sensitive border areas along the Line of Control with Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control with China.
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