The Commissioner of Railway Safety, Dinesh Chand Deshwal, has authorized the opening of a new Broad Gauge train line that connects Kashmir to the rest of India. This announcement was made on Tuesday after a two-day inspection of the Katra-Reasi section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway link.
The project to connect Kashmir by train started in 1997 but faced many challenges, causing delays. The entire railway project is 272 kilometers long, and 209 kilometers have been completed in different phases. Key sections were finished over the years, with the last part between Reasi and Katra completed in December 2024.
In his letter, Deshwal mentioned that he inspected the new train line and authorized it for passenger and goods transport. Trains can run at a maximum speed of 85 km/h on the main line and 15 km/h on turnouts, as long as certain safety conditions are met.
After a successful trial run from Katra to Banihal, Deshwal said this achievement marks an important moment for Indian railways. Last month, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the completion of the Reasi-Katra section, which is vital for connecting Kashmir.
This new train line is expected to improve travel and trade for the people of Kashmir, helping the region grow and develop.
