Choo-Choo Kashmir! Baramulla-Reasi train set for July launch

Srinagar, Jun 22: In a significant development for Kashmir’s transportation infrastructure, train services connecting Baramulla to Reasi are slated to commence operations in the first week of July. This eagerly anticipated rail link promises to revolutionize travel in the region, offering a faster and more convenient option for commuters and tourists alike.
Officials close to the project have reported that all necessary measures have been implemented to ensure the smooth and successful operation of this new rail service. The announcement comes on the heels of a successful trial run conducted on Thursday, which has bolstered confidence in the project’s readiness.

The Baramulla-Reasi rail link represents a crucial segment of the larger Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, an ambitious endeavor aimed at integrating Kashmir with India’s national railway network. This new service is expected to significantly reduce travel times and enhance connectivity between key areas of the region.
Travelers have expressed enthusiasm about the impending launch, anticipating the positive impact it will have on both daily commutes and tourism. The rail link is poised to open up new opportunities for economic growth and cultural exchange within the region.
As the first week of July approaches, authorities are finalizing preparations for the inaugural run. The successful implementation of this project marks a major milestone in Kashmir’s infrastructure development and is seen as a testament to engineering prowess in challenging mountainous terrain.
“We have almost finalized the preparations and the services will now be operational from the first week of July,” a top official in the Railway said.
Pertinently, the major portion of the 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) has been completed and thrown open for the public.
The train journey included crossing the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab bridge, which stands taller than the Eiffel Tower. The Chenab bridge boasts a height of 359 meters compared to the Eiffel Tower’s 300 meters.
Constructed at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore, the bridge utilized 30,000 metric tons of steel and can endure winds of up to 260 kilometers per hour.
However, the officials further informed that the only 17-kilometer link from Reasi and Katra is incomplete for which the work is going on at a pace.
They stated that the last phase of the railway link is being constructed and will be completed by the end of this year.
Nonetheless, sources said that for the early completion of the project, the experts from different parts were roped in to eliminate the bottlenecks, adding that the 17 kilometre railway will be completed by the end of December 2024.