India’s longest transportation tunnel on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link inaugurated by PM Modi
India's longest transportation tunnel on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link inaugurated by PM Modi
On Tuesday, 20 February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the longest transportation Tunnel in the country as the first electrictrified train launched in Kashmir Valley on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). It is also known as T-50.
The USBRL project has been initiated to commence seamless integration of the Kashmir Valley with the Jammu region and the National Railway Network. This route is 12.77 kilometres long and is located in the Khari-Sumber section which is known as the most difficult as compared to the other 11 tunnels in the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangadal Section.
With the launching of this route, trains will now be able to go from Baramulla to Sangaldan via Banihal.
Talking about the safety measures taken for the smooth running of the tunnel, water pipes have been installed on both sides of the tunnel, valves are placed at a distance of every 375 meters to spray water on the train in case of a fire emergency. Moreover, an escape tunnel has been created alongside USBRL to evacuate passengers which connects passengers from USBRL to the escape tunnel every 375 meters in case of emergency and passenger safety.
Another Railways official said, “Once the complete USBRL opens in the coming months, passengers will enjoy infrastructural marvels, such as the Chenab Bridge, the highest Railway Bridge in the world and the Anji Bridge, the first cable-stayed Bridge of the Indian Railways.”
With the construction of this tunnel, India will overcome another victory. This is because the construction of the tunnel began in 1996 and received a tender in the year 2013. More than a decade later, the tunnel was finally constructed and ready for action.
