Srinagar, Jan 15 (KINS): The long-cherished dream of connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari by rail is nearing fruition as the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has approved the newly constructed 17-kilometer Katra-Reasi rail track for public carriage of goods and passengers, railway officials announced.
In a seven-page authorization letter, CRS Dinesh Chand Deshwal gave the green light for the opening of the broad-gauge line between Katra and Reasi stations. This development marks the completion of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project, part of the Northern Railways’ Firozpur division.
The CRS had conducted a detailed inspection of the track earlier in January, which included a motor trolley inspection, on-foot checks, and a speed trial from Katra to Banihal. The trial, carried out in both directions using a special inspection train hauled by an electric locomotive fitted with OMS equipment, recorded speeds of 110 km/h without exceeding a 0.15g peak acceleration.
“Based on completion documents, safety certificates, and sample checks during my inspection, I am satisfied that all provisions for the opening of this section for goods and passenger traffic have been met,” Deshwal stated.
The approval of this critical rail link brings India closer to realizing the vision of seamless connectivity between the northernmost and southernmost parts of the country.(KINS)
Kashmir to Kanyakumari Rail dream takes shape with Katra-Reasi Link approval
