The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said Rs 3,694 crore has been allocated this year for the ongoing railway projects in Jammu and Kashmir, while the “dream project” Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is nearing completion and will be inaugurated soon.

Addressing media in Delhi, the minister, as per the news agency KNO said that new projects are also being taken up and detailed project reports (DPRs) are being prepared.

He said work on the Baramulla-Uri railway line, two other lines, developing four terminals from Budgam to Baramulla section, and four new stations, including Budgam, Jammu Tawi, Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Udhampur station is underway.

Regarding USBRL, he said the project is almost complete with only a 17 km section (Tunnel T1) between Katra and Reasi under construction. The minister said that the Chenab bridge and railway line up to the Sangaldan section have already been made operational.

"Sangaldan to Reasi section has also been completed, and the commission of the Railway safety certificate has also been received. The project is a dream come true and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi very soon,” he said.

SHOPIAN — District Magistrate of Shopian, Faz Lul Haseeb on Wednesday assured that the people’s voices will be heard and considered before any final decision is made regarding the proposed railway line in the district.

Speaking with the news agency KNO, the DM, who is also the Deputy Commissioner Shopian, said railway authorities had taken the marking process of the railway line in Zainapora area of the district where some locals have objected to it. He said people have various apprehensions and misconceptions in this regard which are being looked into.

“Before granting approval for the railway line, the administration will engage with residents to ensure their concerns are taken into account,” Haseeb said, adding that the revenue authorities have been instructed to prepare a detailed report in this regard.

The government's recent green signal for the final survey of five rail lines in Kashmir, including the Awantipora-Shopian route via Kulgam, has sparked protests among residents of Reshipora and Pahnoo areas in southern Kashmir's Shopian district. The locals fear that the construction of the railway line will lead to the displacement of hundreds of families, depriving them of their land and livelihoods.

The residents said many families rely on their orchards for livelihood, and the proposed railway project threatens their way of life. They urged authorities to either relocate the railway line or reconsider its construction, fearing the project would leave hundreds of families landless.

The locals appealed to higher authorities to address their grievances and ensure a fair resolution to the ongoing dispute over the proposed railway line.

SRINAGAR — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Jammu, made significant announcements and inaugurated numerous development projects on Tuesday, emphasizing the transformation underway in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a massive public rally at MA stadium in Jammu, PM Modi highlighted the BJP-led government's efforts to remove Article 370, which he termed as the primary obstacle hindering the region's progress. He assured that the Union Territory is now on the path of development, promising infrastructure that rivals renowned destinations like Switzerland.

PM Modi underscored the government's commitment to eradicating dynastic politics, corruption, and appeasement politics, aiming to provide equal opportunities for all communities. He pledged to continue working towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Among the unveiled projects, PM Modi inaugurated the first Electric Train in J&K, aiming to reduce pollution and improve transportation. Additionally, he launched various initiatives in education, railway, aviation, and road sectors, totalling over Rs 32,000 crore in investment.

During his visit, PM Modi distributed appointment orders to approximately 1,500 new government recruits and laid the foundation stone for a new terminal building at Jammu Airport. He also dedicated several rail projects, including the new rail line between Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan and the electrified Baramulla-Sringar-Banihal-Sangaldan section.

The Prime Minister's visit received appreciation from Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha, who hailed the initiatives as crucial steps toward the region's progress.

SRINAGAR — The Northern Railways is inching closer to connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the railway network in India, as it will start train services on the total 184-km-long Baramulla to Sangaldan sections of the USBRL project from February 20, railway sources said on Saturday.

A top railway official informed the news agency KNO that they are going to introduce a new MEMU and DMU train between the Baramulla and Sangaldan sections of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL), starting on February 20.

He said the work on Sangaldan to Katra in Reasi district is also nearing completion. “Though there is no exact deadline, the project is in the final stage. Ninety-six per cent of the project has been completed, and work is in full swing on the remaining 4%,” the official said.

He added despite facing numerous challenges, Northern Railways has been working diligently to complete the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to virtually inaugurate the newly completed 48-kilometer railway line between Banihal to Sangaldan and Chenab Rail Bridge on February 20.

SRINAGAR — Last week when the valley received fresh snowfall, pictures of a train navigating through intense snowfall went viral on social media.

Amid immense response, social media was abuzz, with tourists keeping it on their wishlist to enjoy a train ride in snowclad Kashmir.

A train ride in Kashmir has emerged as a new addition to the region's tourism landscape.

Vistadome coach, which was recently introduced by the government, is fast becoming a hotspot for tourists, who get a 360-degree view of Kashmir from north to south.

Every day scores of tourists embark on the train to experience the view of snowclad Kashmir from Baramulla to Banihal.

“We have been getting scores of passengers who visit here to explore Kashmir. Since the trains here pass through beautiful landscapes, especially during the winter season when it is white everywhere, tourists love to experience this view. Every day we get hundreds of tourist passengers at our Srinagar and Banihal stations,” an official told the news agency KNO.

He said the occupancy of Vistadome has increased especially after snowfall. “The coach is running full. People love to experience Kashmir through this coach, which has every facility to make one's trip comfortable,” he said.

Pertinently, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Railway Minister, recently posted a captivating video showcasing a train navigating through intense snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir.

The video went viral with many expressing their desire to visit Kashmir and experience a train journey from south to north Kashmir.

Tourists who took the train ride in Kashmir compared it with that of Switzerland. "This is no less than Switzerland. We enjoyed our ride from Banihal to Baramulla. The views are amazing with snow-capped mountains. I recommend every tourist visiting Kashmir should enjoy and experience a train ride from Banihal to Baramulla to get a 360-degree view of Kashmir," said Bushra Khan, a tourist from Maharashtra.

Pertinently, last year, a series of videos of the scow-covered train also featured on social media mesmerizing video that enchanted netizens, even leaving South African professional cricket commentator Jonty Rhodes longing to embark on a journey on the train.

On a normal day, at least 15 pairs of trains run regularly from Baramulla to Banihal and carry almost 30,000 passengers, including students and employees.

SRINAGAR — In a significant milestone for railway connectivity, the newly constructed line spanning 14.869 kilometres in the Banihal-Khari section of Firozpur Division is set to be inaugurated. The electrified train operation will commence shortly, marking a crucial step in enhancing the region's transportation infrastructure.

As part of the Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, a high-speed trial of the Banihal-Khari section will be conducted on January 3, 2024. The Commissioner of Railway Safety will oversee the inspection, ensuring adherence to safety standards and operational efficiency. The trial will be conducted by a special train after a thorough trolley inspection.

Following the successful trial, regular train services will commence between Banihal and Khari stations as part of the ambitious USBRL Project. This new line is expected to improve connectivity and facilitate smoother transportation in the region.

While celebrating this achievement, railway authorities emphasize the importance of public safety. The general public is advised to refrain from accessing railway lines in the specified section. Crossing the tracks at any location is considered trespassing and is a punishable offence under the Railway Act. Authorities urge everyone to prioritize safety and abide by the regulations for a secure and efficient rail operation.

The opening of the Banihal-Khari section marks a significant stride towards modernizing railway infrastructure, aligning with India's vision for robust and efficient transportation networks. The Firozpur Division looks forward to the commencement of regular train services, providing improved connectivity for the benefit of the local community and beyond.

BUDGAM — In a landmark day for the railways' sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations across the country under the scheme, through video conferencing, at a cost of more than Rs 24,470 crores.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the ceremony at an event at Budgam Railway Station. In his address, the Lt Governor expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for including three stations of J&K UT, Jammu Tawi, Udhampur and Budgam under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

He said the redevelopment of railway stations in the UT will give a huge boost to connectivity and ease of travel for passengers. “I believe railway connectivity is the lifeline of a society. A railway line not only strengthens connectivity with different regions but it also brings economic prosperity and transforms standard of living and creates a new destiny of the concerned region,” the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor highlighted the ongoing railway projects and the overall transformation taking place in the railway sector. "Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, we are witnessing rail projects of unprecedented magnitude in Kashmir Valley," he said.

“Kashmir will be connected to Kanyakumari by the end of this financial year. It will connect the valley with all important commercial centres of the country,” the Lt Governor added.

He further informed that the Railway Board has sanctioned five Final Location Survey works in Kashmir: Doubling of Baramulla-Banihal Railway Line, New Baramulla-Uri, Awantipora-Shopian, Sopore-Kupwara and Anantnag-Bijbehara-Pahalgam Rail Line. "Once approved, the new networks will boost rail connectivity in the valley," he added.

He also shared the reforms introduced by the UT Administration to strengthen the air and road connectivity catering to the growing aspirations of the people.

Nazir Ahmad Khan, Chairman, District Development Council, Budgam; Vijay Kumar, ADGP Jammu; Vijay Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Budgam; Vijay Pratap Singh, Principal Chief Engineer Northern Railway, PRI members, youth and people in large numbers were present.

SRINAGAR — In a significant development, the Northern Railways is all set to start work on the 50-kilometers Baramulla-Uri stretch in Kashmir, for which tenders have been floated, officials said on Sunday.

Once the project is completed, the border area of Uri will get connected with the railways.

A top railway official told the news agency KNO that Northern Railways is mulling to begin Final Location Survey (FLS) for new Baramulla-Uri line and for which proposals are being invited by the Ministry.

“Tenders have been floated for engineering survey work of a railway line/roadway using modern survey techniques such as Aerial Survey (Aerial Photogrammetric Survey or Aerial LIDAR) and DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) levelling and creation of DEM,” he said.

He said that the overall track from Baramulla to Uri will be 50 kilometres.

Chief Area Manager (CAM) Kashmir Railways, Saqib Yousuf also confirmed the development. He said it is good news for the entire Kashmir.

Pertinently, the government has stated that Kashmir will be connected with Kanyakumari through rail link.