SRINAGAR: The 26 kms long Katra-Udhampur rail line has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,132.75 crores.
It comprises 15.5 km long Katra- Chak Rakhwal and 9.4 kms long Chak Rakhwal-Udhampur sections and connects two districts of Reasi and Udhmpur in the State.
The railway alignment passes through unstable geological formations and highly undulating and difficult hilly terrain of Shivalik and Trikuta ranges of Himalayas. It crosses a number of rivers, nallahs, canals and channels.
The bridge on river Jhajjar is the longest steel girder bridge in India with a height of 85 m and with two spans of 154m each. Besides, the rail section has 22 curves with sharpest curve at 5 degree.
Tunnel No. 23 is the longest tunnel on the section at 3.1 km and it has ballast less track between Udhampur and Chak Rakhwal station.
The Katra-Udhampur rail line has 10.9 km of tunneling, one important, 7 major and 29 minor bridges.
The approx. cost of this rail section is Rs. 1132.75 crore upto March 31, 2014.
Katra railway station has been provided with modern facilities. It is a four line crossing station having two foot-over-bridges, with one side ramp and other side stairs. Lifts have also been provided to facilitate passengers for going from platform no.1 to exit from station. An escalator also connects station building and Platform No 1.
Katra-Udhampur rail line is a part of ambitious 326 kms long Udhampur- Katra-Qazigund-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) project of Northern Railway.
Now, after completion of Katra-Udhampur railway line, Railways will shift focus to connect Katra with Banihal for the completion of the ambitious national project from Jammu to Kashmir. The 130- kms long railway line from Banihal to Baramulla has been completed and trains are plying on the tracks daily.
The rail link between Katra and Banihal is expected to be completed by 2018.
The present approximate estimated cost of the entire Jammu-Kashmir railway project is Rs 19565 crores. Of it, about Rs. 9666.71 crores have been spent upto March 31, 2014.
Also Read: