The Diplomat Desk
Jammu :TDD, In a biggest development for India’s railway infrastructure, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced today the completion of the final track work on the crucial Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). The minister shared this historic update through his official handle on X marking a major step forward in connecting Kashmir to the national railway network.
The completion of ballast-less track work in Tunnel T-33, spanning 3.2 kilometers at the foothills of the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, represents the final piece of this ambitious project. The work, which connects Katra to Reasi, was successfully concluded at 2:00 AM, demonstrating the round-the-clock efforts to complete this strategic infrastructure project.
The USBRL project is of immense strategic and socio-economic importance, as it will provide all-weather connectivity to the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India. This engineering marvel has overcome numerous geographical challenges, traversing through the young Himalayas and dealing with complex geological conditions. The completion of Tunnel T-33 is particularly significant as it will facilitate easier access for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine while also serving as a crucial link in the larger railway network.TDD