Jammu, Aug 7: The Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Dinesh Chand Deshwal, on Friday completed a detailed safety inspection of the Katra-Srinagar rail section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, bringing the crucial stretch a step closer to the commencement of passenger train services.
The inspection covered the entire rail corridor from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar, including railway tracks, tunnels, bridges, stations and other critical infrastructure. The CRS also reviewed signalling systems, passenger amenities, operational safety measures and emergency response arrangements.
Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Jammu, Vivek Kumar, Chief Administrative Officer and other senior railway and project officials accompanied the CRS during the inspection.
According to Northern Railway, the Chief Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction and the safety standards maintained on the section. He, however, directed officials to accord the highest priority to passenger safety and comfort before the commencement of regular train operations.
Speaking on the occasion, DRM Jammu Vivek Kumar said the Railway administration would implement the suggestions made by the CRS on priority and ensure that all identified deficiencies, if any, are rectified within the stipulated timeframe.
“The Railway administration will take the suggestions given by the CRS seriously and is committed to removing all deficiencies within the stipulated time frame and starting passenger services,” he said.
The inspection is a significant milestone for the USBRL project, which is aimed at providing all-weather rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country. The Katra-Srinagar section is expected to become operational after the completion of statutory safety clearances and other required formalities.
