Banihal-Katra railway safety check 2025: Jammu-Srinagar train to start soon

Marking a historic milestone in Indian rail infrastructure, the Banihal-Katra railway section is poised to revolutionise travel in Jammu and Kashmir. The eagerly anticipated 111-kilometre-long Banihal-Katra railway section, connecting Jammu to the Kashmir Valley, is undergoing its final safety inspection. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the update on social media, stating, “Final stage CRS safety inspection of the USBRL Project commences for the Katra-Banihal section.” TRANSFORMING TRAVEL: JUST 3 HOURS FROM JAMMU TO SRINAGAR Once completed, this section will slash travel time between Jammu and Srinagar to a remarkable three hours and ten minutes. ENGINEERING MARVELS OF THE BANIHAL-KATRA SECTION Chenab river arch bridge Standing at 359 meters, it’s the world’s highest railway arch bridge, constructed with 30,000 tonnes of steel and advanced rock bolting technology Anji river cable-stayed bridge India’s first cable-stayed bridge, showcasing cutting-edge engineering Other iconic bridges The Reasi and Bakkal bridges further enhance the route’s connectivity and infrastructure INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING AND SAFETY MEASURES Tunnels and tracks : The section has 97 kilometres of tunnels, including 67 kilometres of escape tunnels, and ballast-less tracks for smooth operation Advanced surveillance: State-of-the-art cameras placed every 50 meters in tunnels are connected to a centralised control room VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS: A NEW ERA FOR JAMMU AND KASHMIR A specially designed 8-coach Vande Bharat Express will soon connect Jammu and Srinagar, providing all-weather connectivity.