SRI NAGAR: The 26-km long Katra-Udhampur rail line has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,132.75 crore. It comprises the 15.5-km long Katra-Chak Rakhwal and the 9.4-km long Chak Rakhwal-Udhampur lines, connecting Reasi and Udhampur districts.
The railway line passes through the highly undulating hilly terrain of the Shivalik and Trikuta ranges of the Himalayas. It crosses a number of rivers, nallahs, canals and channels. The bridge on river Jhajjar is the longest steel girder bridge in the country. The Katra railway station has four line crossings and two foot overbridges with a side ramp. Lifts have also been installed to facilitate the movement of passengers from platform number 1 to the exit. An escalator connects the station building and the first platform. The Katra-Udhampur rail line is a part of the ambitious 326-km long Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) project of the Northern Railways.
Now, after the completion of the Katra-Udhampur railway line, the Railways will shift its focus to connect Katra with Banihal for the completion of the ambitious national project from J&K. The 130-km long railway line from Banihal to Baramulla has been completed.
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