Umaisar Gull Ganie
Srinagar, Nov 5: The Northern Railways has fast-tracked operational and redevelopment works in the Jammu division to enable a direct train service between Jammu and Srinagar — a move that will mark a big milestone in J&K’s railway connectivity.
A senior railway official said that the trains, which currently operate from Katra in Reasi district to Srinagar, are expected to start from Jammu railway station soon. “Work is underway to make the direct service possible. Flash floods earlier slowed down progress and shifted our targets, but the project is now being pushed aggressively,” he said.
According to officials, the major challenges lie on the Jammu–Katra stretch, where work on bridges, tracks, and station redevelopment is in progress.
“At Jammu station, there are two categories of work — civil structure and track-related. The track work is almost complete, while civil structures, including new platforms and station facilities, are nearing completion. The progress is being monitored to establish Jammu–Srinagar connectivity at the earliest,” the official added.
Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu Division, said: “At present, the train is operational up to Katra. Once the bottlenecks are cleared and readiness is in place, the direct service to Jammu will begin.”
He said that redevelopment and operational processes are moving at a steady pace. “By November, we expect the bottlenecks to be cleared. After that, further decisions will be taken,” Singhal said.
The USBRL (Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link) is regarded as one of India’s greatest engineering achievements. It includes the world’s highest railway bridge, built over the Chenab River—taller than the Eiffel Tower—and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji Khad. (KNO)
