Srinagar, Oct 10: The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link Project (USBRL) is a massive engineering endeavor, considered a national project of great significance. Its primary objective is to establish a dependable all-weather rail connection to the picturesque Kashmir Valley, thereby providing an alternative and reliable transportation system to this region. This ambitious project entails the construction of an impressive network, featuring 38 tunnels with a combined length extending to a remarkable 119 kilometers. Notably, among these tunnels is the 12.75-kilometer-long masterpiece, earning the distinction of being India’s longest transportation tunnel. Additionally, the project encompasses the creation of 927 bridges, collectively spanning a distance of 13 kilometers. Among these bridges, the iconic Chenab Bridge stands out as the tallest railway bridge globally. The project also includes the construction of the Indian Railway’s first-ever cable-stayed bridge, situated on the Anji Khad in the Katra-Banihal section. In terms of finances, the project is estimated to cost more than Rs. 37,000 crores. To facilitate the efficient execution and monitoring of this colossal undertaking, the project has been strategically divided into four distinct segments. The first segment, the 25-kilometer-long Udhampur-Katra section, was successfully completed and commissioned in July 2014. The second leg, spanning 111 kilometers and connecting Katra to Banihal, is currently in progress. The third section, covering 18 kilometers from Banihal to Qazigund, was commissioned in 2013 and is already completed. Finally, the fourth and final segment of this project, extending over 118 kilometers from Qazigund to Baramulla, has also been completed.
“Anji Khad Bridge is the country’s “first cable-stayed bridge” on Indian Railways. The bridge is located in the young fold mountains of the Himalayas having extremely complex, fragile, and daunting geological features in the form of faults, folds, and thrusts besides seismic proneness of the region. Anji Khad Bridge connects tunnels T2 and T3 on the Katra-Banihal Section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project. AnjiKhad Bridge has a single main pylon of height 193m from the top of the foundation, standing at a height of 331 meters above the river bed”.
The work on this section was executed in three phases, with the last phase being commissioned in October 2009. As for the current status of work on the Katra-Banihal section, specific details would depend on the most recent developments beyond my knowledge cutoff date in September 2021. However, it can be inferred that the project was advancing steadily, reflecting the Central Government’s commitment to providing the Kashmir Valley with a robust and all-weather railway connectivity solution. The Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), spanning 111 kilometers, presents a formidable engineering challenge due to its hilly terrain and features some of the world’s highest bridges and significant tunnels along its route. A remarkable highlight of this section is the Chenab Bridge, which stands as the world’s highest railway bridge, soaring to a height of 359 meters above the riverbed. This awe-inspiring bridge stretches over a total length of 1315 meters and is composed of 17 spans, with the longest arch span reaching an impressive 467 meters, spanning the Chenab River valley. Notably, this bridge is also engineered to withstand blast loads, a first in India, following consultation with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
“The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link Project has not only transformed transportation but also brought significant socio-economic benefits to the region through comprehensive infrastructure development. A remarkable achievement of this project is the construction of over 205 kilometers of approach roads, featuring a tunnel and 320 bridges. These roads have ushered in connectivity to 73 remote villages, positively impacting the lives of approximately 1.5 lakh residents”.
Furthermore, the cable crane’s pylon at the Srinagar end of the bridge stands tall at 127 meters, eclipsing the height of the iconic Qutub Minar, which measures 72 meters. This serves as a testament to the monumental engineering achievements realized during the construction of the Chenab Bridge within the challenging landscape of the Katra-Banihal section of the USBRL. The 55-kilometer-long Jammu-Udhampur section was successfully completed and opened to the public in April 2005, providing improved access to the picturesque state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Quazigund-Baramulla section, covering a distance of 118 kilometers, has been opened to the public in three phases. The stretch from Anantnag to Mazhom (68 kilometers) was inaugurated on October 11, 2008.
Following that, the section from Mazhom to Baramulla (32 kilometers) was dedicated to the nation on February 14, 2009. The final leg, from Quazigund to Anantnag (18 kilometers), was opened to the public on October 28, 2009, contributing to enhanced rail connectivity in the region. One of the most remarkable achievements of the project is the Quazigund-Banihal section, covering 18 kilometers and featuring the Pir Panjal Tunnel, which stands as India’s longest transportation tunnel at a total length of 11.215 kilometers. This significant stretch was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on June 26, 2013. It is a crucial part of the Katra-Quazigund section of the project, traversing through some of the world’s most challenging terrain, both in logistical and geological terms. The Udhampur-Katra section, spanning 25 kilometers, was opened to traffic on July 4, 2014, providing a vital link in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link Project.
“This iconic Chenab Bridge across the river Chenab having a central span of 467 m is being built at a height of 359m from the bed level (The height of QutabMinar is 72 m and of the Eiffel Tower is 324 m). This is the Highest railway bridge on the globe being constructed. For the construction of the Arch portion of the bridge over the river, a novel method of construction using the cable car is designed and commissioned”.
These developments mark substantial progress in bolstering transportation infrastructure and connectivity in the region, furthering the government’s commitment to improving accessibility and economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link Project has not only transformed transportation but also brought significant socio-economic benefits to the region through comprehensive infrastructure development. A remarkable achievement of this project is the construction of over 205 kilometers of approach roads, featuring a tunnel and 320 bridges. These roads have ushered in connectivity to 73 remote villages, positively impacting the lives of approximately 1.5 lakh residents. Furthermore, these roads have become the starting point for the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) roads, expanding connectivity even further.
In an endeavor to empower local communities, the railway authorities have provided employment opportunities to 799 eligible landowners who contributed 75% of the total land required for the project, covering 1833.92 hectares. Moreover, the project has offered job opportunities to a substantial workforce, with 14069 contractors being engaged, of which around 65% are local individuals. The project’s contribution to the local economy is underscored by the generation of an astounding 500 lakh man-days of work, benefiting local laborers and artisans alike. Additionally, the project has invested in skill training, equipping many artisans with valuable skills that are now being employed in various sectors beyond the project itself. In essence, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link Project is not just about enhancing transportation; it is a catalyst for community development, job creation, and skill empowerment, enriching the lives of the people it serves. This iconic Chenab Bridge across the river Chenab having a central span of 467 m is being built at a height of 359m from the bed level (The height of QutabMinar is 72 m and of the Eiffel Tower is 324 m). This is the Highest railway bridge on the globe being constructed. For the construction of the Arch portion of the bridge over the river, a novel method of construction using the cable car is designed and commissioned.
Two cable cars having a capacity of 20 MT each and 37 MT in tandem run on 54mm cables laid across the river valley and are connected through a 127 m high pylon (tower) on the Kauri end & 105 m on the Bakkal end of the river. The Chenab bridge will usher in a fresh era in J&K due to Increased employment opportunities for the youth, improved infrastructure due to the construction of access roads, Better facilities for students to travel to other parts of the country for educational purposes, Boost to the tourist industry, connectivity of far-flung areas to the mainstream of country and overall economic development of the state. Remotely located Villages at Kauri and Bakkalends of construction sites, which until now have no vehicular means to travel to Reasi district and other places, have started enjoying fruits of development brought about by the construction of black-topped approach roads in the region. In fact, A window of a world of opportunities has opened up to the local population of the region. The design of the Chenab Bridge takes into account aesthetics, economy, and availability of local expertise and construction materials; the Chenab Rail Bridge was designed as a large-span single arch steel bridge with approach viaducts on either side.
The arch is two-ribbed, fabricated from large steel trusses. The chords of the trusses are sealed steel boxes, internally stiffened and filled with concrete to assist in controlling wind-induced forces on the bridge. The design and construction were awarded to Afcons Infrastructure, a part of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, the third-largest construction group in India, with the help of IISc Bangalore. Major construction decisions were taken by Konkan Railway Corporation. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) helped in the design of the bridge, making it blast-proof using special steel. The erection scheme for the bridge is a project in itself. Two pylons (about 130 m and 100 m high) were erected on either side of the river, and two auxiliary self-propelled cable cranes (capacity of 20 tonnes each) were used to tow temporary auxiliary ropes across these pylons. The ropes were used to support the partly finished arch parts. After arch completion, the trusses will be added, and finally, the girder will be constructed as a horizontal sliding type platform.
Anji Bridge: Construction of the Anji Bridge is extremely difficult and an Engineering challenge. Although it is smaller in comparison to Chenab Bridge, it is also an important bridge in this section after construction, it will be 195m above the river bed and the main span across the steep slope of Anji Khad River will be 290 meters. AnjiKhad Bridge is the country’s “first cable-stayed bridge” on Indian Railways. The bridge is located in the young fold mountains of the Himalayas having extremely complex, fragile, and daunting geological features in the form of faults, folds, and thrusts besides seismic proneness of the region. AnjiKhad Bridge connects tunnels T2 and T3 on the Katra-Banihal Section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project. AnjiKhad Bridge has a single main pylon of height 193m from the top of the foundation, standing at a height of 331 meters above the river bed. The total length of the Bridge is 687m consisting of the Main Bridge length of 473.25 meters, the Ancillary viaduct of 120 meters length, and the central embankment of 94.25 metres length. It is an asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge balanced on the axis of a central pylon. The Total deck Width of the Bridge is 15m. Recently, Northern Railways stated that significant progress on the Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur-Baramulla-Srinagar Railway Link (USBRL) project has been achieved. Officials revealed that an impressive 95 percent of the work on this critical railway segment has already been completed, and the remaining 5 percent is expected to be finalized within the next few months.
“Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw said Kashmir Valley’s rail network will get connected with the rest of the country by January next year and special ‘Vande Bharat’ trains are being designed for the Union Territory. “The work on the Chenab and Anji bridges and major tunnels is also going and there is good progress. By the grace of Almighty, the train will chug on this route in December this year or January next year,” he said”.
A spokesperson from Northern Railway told Kashmir Horizon that out of the total 272-kilometer railway line envisioned in the USBRL project, a substantial 161 kilometers have been successfully commissioned in three distinct phases. “The initial phase was completed in 2009, followed by the second phase in 2013, and the third phase in 2014. This noteworthy achievement is a testament to the unwavering commitment to the project, even in the face of the challenging geographical landscape of the region,” he said. In addition to this, Northern Railways has launched an aerial survey to pave the way for a double-track on the Banihal-Baramulla railway line, along with the development of a new railway line extending from Baramulla to Uri. Saqib Yousuf Yatoo (IRTS), Chief Area Manager (CAM) Kashmir told Kashmir Horizon the commencement of the aerial survey, specifically focusing on the double-track railway line planned from Banihal to Baramulla in the heart of Kashmir. “Notably, this survey will also encompass the comprehensive evaluation of the proposed railway line extending from Baramulla to Uri, a route that runs parallel to the Line of Control (LoC),” he said. Saqib said that the primary objective of this extensive survey is to acquire vital data concerning the intended railway alignments, as well as to assess the unique characteristics of the terrain and identify potential obstacles that may emerge during the construction phase. The CAM underscored that the introduction of a double-track railway will be a transformative development, significantly boosting capacity and operational efficiency. “This, in turn, will lead to more frequent and seamless train services connecting the regions of Banihal and Baramulla, contributing to enhanced connectivity and accessibility for the people of Kashmir,” he added. Earlier this year, Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw said Kashmir Valley’s rail network will get connected with the rest of the country by January next year and special ‘Vande Bharat’ trains are being designed for the Union Territory. “The work on the Chenab and Anji bridges and major tunnels is also going and there is good progress. By the grace of Almighty, the train will chug on this route in December this year or January next year,” he said.