Shobhan Chaudhuri, GM/NR, Conducts Inspection of USBRL Project in J&K
Up to 95% of Remaining Work Completed on Katra-Banihal Section, Bringing Kashmir Valley Closer to Railway Network
Shobhan Chaudhuri, General Manager of Northern Railway, recently conducted a comprehensive inspection of the USBRL (Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link) project and other ongoing railway works in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on July 5, 2023. Accompanied by S. P. Mahi, CAO/USBRL, R. K. Hegde, Director/KRCL, and a team of senior officers from the USBRL Project, KRCL, and Firozpur Division, Chaudhuri emphasized the need to expedite the remaining work of the project.
The inspection commenced from Katra, where Chaudhuri traveled by motor trolley up to tunnel T1. He meticulously reviewed the progress of tunnel T1, which traverses the challenging geology of the Himalayas. Urging all officers and staff to prioritize safety precautions, he directed them to complete the work on the tunnel promptly. The General Manager expressed his appreciation for the exceptional work being done on the Anji Bridge.
Continuing his inspection, Chaudhuri evaluated the Chenab Bridge and conducted a detailed motor trolley examination from the bridge to Dugga station. While commending the progress made on the Chenab Bridge, he stressed the importance of adhering to project targets. He expressed satisfaction with the ongoing works on the Bakkal-Dugga section but emphasized the need to expedite the electrical and S&T (Signaling and Telecommunications) aspects of the project. Notably, he recognized the USBRL project as a pioneer in Indian Railways for undertaking the ROCs work (Rigid Overhead Catenary System) and urged the engineers to prioritize and expedite this crucial work at Reasi.
During the inspection, S. P. Mahi, CAO of the USBRL project, provided an update on the progress. Out of the total 272 km length of the USBRL project, 161 km of railway track has already been commissioned. Remarkably, up to 95% of the ongoing work on the remaining 111 km Katra-Banihal section has been completed, overcoming various geological, topographical, and meteorological challenges. The construction work on the remaining portion is currently in full swing. With each passing day, the Indian Railways is getting closer to connecting the picturesque Kashmir Valley to the rest of the extensive railway network in the country.
