Kashmir-Kanyakumari rail project: Operations to begin in the Khari-Sumber stretch by Oct

In a significant boost to the Railway infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir and in keeping with PM Narendra Modi's ambitious Kashmir to Kanyakumari rail project, rail operation beyond Banihal in Ramban district is set to begin by October this year. The 11km stretch from Khari to Sumber will be made operational first, and in the next step, connectivity will be expanded to the Sangaldhan area in the Gool sub-division of Ramban.

Sumber railway station

The project aims to connect the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link

Commenting on the developments, Deputy Commissioner of Ramban district Mussarat-ul-Islam said, “By 2023 October, the railway stations of Khari and Sumber are expected to connect a stretch of 11km. The current project marks a significant step towards the larger goal of connecting the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which spans 111km, connecting Banihal to Katra. Progressing further, the Railway's next target is to extend the line to Sangaldan, contributing to the overall completion of this ambitious project in the Ramban region, with 53km of the 111-km stretch already in an advanced stage of completion."

The project includes 37 bridges and 28 tunnels, including India's longest transportation tunnel spanning 12.76km.

The 111km-long Katra-Banihal rail link poses a significant challenge, with over 87 per cent of the stretch comprising tunnels and bridges. Among its notable features are 37 bridges and 28 tunnels, including India's longest transportation tunnel spanning 12.76km. Within the link, the majority of the nine stations are ingeniously integrated within tunnels and positioned over bridges.

As per sources, the Railway Ministry is mulling to establish a separate division of Indian Railways for Jammu and Kashmir. Presently, the officers deployed in Jammu report to the Ferozepur division of Indian Railways. The new division of Indian Railways will also lead to changes in existing Ferozepur, Ambala and Delhi divisions of Indian Railways.