The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) conducted an inspection of the 14.869 km Banihal-Khari rail track, a part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. This inspection included a visual assessment of the track, tunnels, and bridges, followed by a high-speed electric train ride. Once the CRS approves, regular train services...
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are expected to commence between Banihal and Khari stations. The inspection was the second round of statutory inspections required for the section's opening. The 272 km USBRL project is nearing completion with work in progress on the Katra-Banihal stretch, which is expected to be operational by March 2024. A recent milestone was achieved with the completion of the 3,209-meter-long Tunnel T-1 between Katra and Reasi stations. This tunnel, located near Katra in Reasi district, presented challenges due to its passage through the Himalayan Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and significant water inflow. The breakthrough of this tunnel marks a significant advancement in connecting the Kashmir Valley to India's railway network.