Railway Board Chairman inspects the ongoing works on Katra- Banihal section of USBRL Project in J&K

Vinay Kumar Tripathi, Chairman and CEO, Railway Board inspected the ongoing works on Katra- Banihal(111 Km) section of USBRL Project in Jammu & Kashmir from 09/09/2022 to 10/09/2022.

Inspection started from tunnel T-1( 3159m)
Tunnel excavation of 1860 m has been completed from portal P1 end and 1039 m completed from P2 end. Now, the balance excavation is only 260m. Due to Main boundary thrust location, the progress is very slow. Tunnel excavation requires lot of pre- support measures and also post excavation support systems. Executing agency was advised to complete balance excavation of 260 meters expeditiously by augmenting resources. Northern Railway /Konkan Railway Corporation Limited were directed to closely monitor the progress.

After Tunnel T-1, inspection continued with run through in already completed tunnel T-2 having length of 5090m of Main tunnel and parallel escape tunnel of length 5072m. BLT work in this tunnel is in progress and nearly 2.5 km of HBL (Hydraulically bounded layer) has already been laid.

After T-2, Anji Bridge (Katra end), which is Indian Railway’s first Cable stayed bridge having total length of 725m was inspected. Anji Bridge has a single Main Pylon of height 193m from foundation top and 331 m above the river bed. At Katra end of this bridge, construction of MA1 abutment substructure was in progress and 9m has been cast out of 22.3m height. Project executives informed that only balance work on Katra end is 38m span of MA1 and CA2, which is under fabrication and will be launched by Dec.’2022.

Thereafter, Reasi end of Anji bridge was inspected. Sub-structure has been completed and super structure launching/erection is under way. 249m out of 473m deck has been erected which includes launching of 6 segments using Derrick (segment launcher). Project executives informed that launching of 3 segment (i.e 30m ) in a month is being achieved and all efforts are being made to expedite the same. CRB appreciated the good work being done and advised the project authorities to further improve the progress so as to complete the work expeditiously.

After Anji Bridge, other major bridge no 39 was inspected, which is a continues composite girder of 490m length, which is in final stage of completion. The tallest Pier P5 of this bridge is 105m from foundation level and Reasi yard is extending over this bridge and will holds two lines and also two platforms. Deck slab for Main girder has been completed and platform girder is in progress. It was informed by project executives that balance works shall be completed by Nov’22.

Reasi station building work was also inspected. Ground floor slab has been cast and shuttering work for column of first floor was in progress. It was informed that GRP & RPF Barracks are being constructed below the circulating area as basement and work of same is in full swing.

Thereafter, from Reasi inspection continued by travelling 20 Km to Bakkal end and reached Bridge-43, which is 777m long and is 2nd longest bridge in this project. Bridge has curvature of 1.4⁰ and launching of girder has been done on curve with precision by end launching from both ends & is completed. Castin of deck slab is in progress.

After Bridge-39 inspection continued to Chenab Bridge, which is highest Railway Bridge on the Globe. Golden joint of Deck for this bridge was successfully completed on 13 Aug.’2022.

All tunnel, bridge & track linking works from Chenab bridge onwards till Tunnel T-14 were inspected. CRB expressed satisfaction regarding pace and progress of works and directed Project Authorities to further push up the progress specially T-14 and BLT works. He further emphasised that E&M and S&T works should also be taken up in parallel so as to ensure timely completion of the project.