The long-awaited rail link to Kashmir is now poised to begin operations following the green light from officials recently. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has given the go-ahead for the final stretch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, approving the 17-km Katra-Reasi section after a thorough inspection. This crucial safety check, conducted by the railway safety audit body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, marks the last hurdle before trains can begin operating on this challenging route.
The approval for the Katra-Reasi section was confirmed by Dinesh Chand Deshwal, CRS for the Northern Circle, with the infrastructure described as outstanding. Due to security concerns, it was confirmed that train services on this route will be limited to daytime operations. A maximum speed of 85 km per hour for trains running between the Shri Vaishno Devi Dham Katra and Reasi stations was also approved by the CRS. Additionally, a fitness approval for the loop line was received for a speed of 15 km per hour on specific sections.