Editorial 12 April, 2021 Issue .
Important milestone for Kashmir rail project
Building of rail link between Kashmir valley and Jammu is not just a project but a dream come true that will make connectivity easier from Kashmir and give relief from often highway blockades on Jammu Srinagar National Highway.Recently in a big leap towards realization of the same Constructed at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore, an arch bridge between the Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir is dubbed as important milestone in seamless railway connectivity to the Kashmir valley.
It is a big symbol and In other words, a train from Kanyakumari can reach all the way to Kashmir uninterrupted. The bridge, which can withstand wind speeds of over 266 kmph is higher than the tip of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.a historic day for the Northern Railways and a milestone in the completion of the USBRL project, connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country. The project will be completed within two and a half years,” Northern Railway General Manager Ashutosh Gangal said.
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal watched the lowering of the closure segment of the arch by cable crane through a video link from Delhi. Senior officers, including Mr Gangal and Konkan Railway Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Gupta, attended the function.On the construction of the arch, the ministry said that this was one of the most difficult part of the bridge.
“This achievement is a major leap towards the completion of the 111-km-long winding stretch from Katra to Banihal. It is arguably the biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history,” it said.
“This bridge is 1,315-metre long and is the highest railway bridge in the world being 359 metres above the river bed level. It will be 35 meters higher than the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris (France),” the ministry said.One hopes Jammu to Kashmir rail link that would connect Kashmir to country would be reality soon.
