Train to Katra

Successful trial run on Banihal-Qazigund sectorTrain to Katra in April, Banihal by March

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 28: The Railways today said here that the train will chug between Banihal and Baramulla in March next year and in April on Udhampur-Katra section of the prestigious Udhampur-Baramulla rail link.

After the intervention by Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Farooq Shah, the successful trial run of the track tramping machine on Qazigund-Banihal section took place this afternoon.

The trial run didn't took place yesterday as the villagers of Hillar, some 4 kilometres from Qazigund, sat on the track in protest as they were demanding halt train station in the village.

The Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Senior Superintendent of Police Anantnag Ramesh Jala and SP Kulgam Bashir Ahmad also travelled with the railway authorities to Banihal in the track tracking machine of the Railways.

Earlier in the morning after the intervention of the DC Anantnag, Member Engineering Railway Board, A P Mishra, assured the villagers of Hillar that a detailed proposal for the halt station in the village will be submitted to the Railway headquarters in New Delhi. He said that the Railways will conduct survey in 3 days before submitting the report.

Shah told Excelsior that the State Government wants this prestigious project to be completed well in time and will help Railways in this endeavour. He said that no one will be allowed to create hurdles in the project. While describing the incident of creating hurdles by villagers of Hillar yesterday as unfortunate, he said that the genuine demands of the people will be addressed.

While interacting with the media, the member of the Northern Railways, A P Mishra, who was the chief guest on the occasion of dry run said that train will chug on the Banihal-Baramulla section by March. He said that this section of the railway line was most difficult and its completion will connect the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.

Mishra said that for the time being this sector will also help in carrying supplies during winters when the Banihal Tunnel area gets closed in winter.

Mishra said that Udhampur-Katra section will be thrown open in April next year. He said that it will make the journey to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine easier.

The Railway Member said that weather will have no impact on the running of trains through Pir Panjal sector as the Railways will clear the snow on either side of the Tunnel in no time.

Mishra said that all the major works have been completed and finishing touches are being given to the Banihal-Qazigund section of the track. "The total expenditure of Rs 1691 Crore was incurred by the railways to complete this section", he added.

Mishra Banihal-Qazigund section is 17.729 Kms long out of which 6.514 Km portion is on cutting and embankment including bridges and 11.215 Kms is through tunnel.

Mishra said that the Pir Panjal railway tunnel is longest transportation tunnel in India and second longest in Asia. He said that it was constructed at the cost of Rs 1300 Crore.