New Delhi, Nov 26th : .The Britishers made the first proposal to bring railways to Kashmir in 1898, but it remained a paper idea. Fast forward 120 years and India’s dream to fully integrate with the Valley is finally realized with the Kashmir Railway Project, which will join the Indian Railways canvas in 2023.
This project is the highest-altitude railway network in India, defying gravity on the impossible terrain of the Pir Panjal mountain range.
It is the only railway line built in broad gauge on Indian mountain peaks, making the fantasy a reality.It can cover 345 km, over major earthquake-prone areas, and is exposed to extreme temperatures.
The design of Kashmir railways is the second most difficult engineering challenge ever faced.It is only second to the China-Tibet rail line, which crosses perpetually frozen ground at elevations of more than 5,000m above the sea level.
The Himalayan Himalayas’ dangerous terrain is what gave rise to the rail route that runs through Kashmir.
The Valley is 1,850m high, but the Pir Panjal range is 3,000m.
The snow cutter system is used to clear snow from the tracks.Coaches are kept at 20 degrees Celsius in winter months.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Railway Minister, launched the “Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana” on September 17.She stated that engineers and technicians are working in challenging conditions to realize the nation’s dreams.
This region’s connectivity is vital for national security, prosperity, as well as socio-economic development.Along with the railways, many other major projects are underway in the Valley.
They all operate in mission mode to link the mountainous terrains and ravines, gorges, as well as the river basins.
The arch of the world’s highest railway bridge, measuring 1,315m and standing at 359m above Chenab River bed, was completed by modern Indian engineering.
It will allow the railways cover the most ground in the area.Another monumental project is the Udhampur–Baramulla railway line project, which would connect the two places through Jammu.
It would run 272 km and pass through picturesque mountainous towns, pristine rivers basins, deodars, and quiet deodars.
Another engineering marvel is Bridge No.39, located between Katra and Reasi.It was completed on October 20, 2009.
Reasi yard station was built on high, rectangular hollow piers measuring 105m high.The bridge spans approximately 490m.It is made with 7,000 steel reinforcement and 6,700 million tonnes structural steel.This is a significant achievement in the USBRL project of Jammu and Kashmir.
This mega-project has been managed by the Union Minister with a foresighted approach, which ensures that there are no obstacles to funding, land acquisition, etc.
Indian Railways has prepared a National Rail Plan in order to build a ‘Future Ready” railway system by 2030.The people of J&K can explore new opportunities for employment and tourism from the perspectives of trade, commerce, and tourism.
The Udhampur-Baramulla-Srinagar rail line stands erected at a cost of Rs 28,000 crore.
The strategic, interconnecting line of approximately 111 km that runs between Katra, Banihal and Banihal is the main focus.It consists of many tunnels as well as escape tunnels.
According to Railways, March 2022 is the target date for the completion of electrification works at the Banihal-Baramulla section of the railway.
The construction and planning of the Kashmir Railway Project is being done using the most advanced technologies in the world.
It is exciting because of the unique challenges that this region presents.Experts from India and elsewhere had to develop new technologies to address these concerns.
The Kashmir Railways story will be remembered as the chapter of regional glory, development, and prosperity.
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