J&K : In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a significant achievement is on the horizon as the Northern Railway prepares to introduce Kashmir’s inaugural electric train along the 137 km Banihal-Baramulla corridor. The electrification process for this 324 crore rupees project is nearing completion. Indian Railway authorities have revealed that the endeavor has been in progress since August 2019. Bittu Kumar, an engineer from RS Infra Pvt Ltd, stated that the project is scheduled for inauguration in the coming month, with 90% of the electrification work already accomplished.
This new electric train’s launch and the completion of electrification hold the promise of a substantial reduction in air pollution. Presently, the Baramulla-Banihal sector in J&K witnesses the operation of 19 trains, with seven trains consistently running. This sector serves around 30,000 passengers daily, including students and working professionals. Notably, Kashmir’s first train service was initiated in 2013, inaugurated by the former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.
It’s worth highlighting that the ongoing establishment of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway (USBRL) track is a significant undertaking to connect Kashmir with the wider expanse of the country.
