Indian Railways makes history, connects Kashmir Valley to Banihal town

[KS]

A security person guards along a railway track-| News in Pictures

Northern Railways on December 28 made history as the first train chugged through India's longest railway tunnel through the Pir Panjal mountain range, connecting Kashmir Valley to Banihal town on Srinagar-Jammu National highway.

The train on a trial run, arrived at Banihal station from Qazigund in Anantnag district of Kashmir, was witnessed by hundreds of local residents of this highway town.

While the Baramulla-Srinagar-Qazigund link is functional for the past four years, this was the first time that a train has crossed the mighty Pir Panjal Mountain range.

The highlight of the Qazigund-Banihal link is the 11.21 km tunnel - the longest railway tunnel in India, which has reduced the distance between the two towns by half.

The tunnel, which was constructed by Hindustan Construction Corporation (HCC), will reduce the travel distance between Qazigund and Banihal from 35 kilometres (by road) to just 17.5 kilometres (by train).

The Pir Panjal tunnel, which is the second longest in Asia, is a vital link in the Railway dream project of connecting Kashmir to Udhampur in Jammu region.

The tunnel is 8.40 metres wide with a height of 7.39 metres. There is a provision of a three metre wide road along the length of the tunnel for the purpose of maintenance and emergency relief.

The rail link will provide an alternative link between Kashmir and rest of the country as Srinagar-Jammu National Highway gets blocked regularly due to heavy snowfall during winter months.

The trial run was scheduled to be conducted on December 27 but had to be postponed following protests by residents of villages falling along Qazigund-Banihal railway link, who were demanding a one-minute halt station for the train at Hillad village.

 

[KRAIT]

I remember childhood days when I used to feel angry on news on Kashmir and now I feel good about the economic development and tourism boom. I wish Kashmir always prosper.

 

[Srinivas]

I remember childhood days when I used to feel angry on news on Kashmir and now I feel good about the economic development and tourism boom. I wish Kashmir always prosper.

Kashmir will get Billions in revenue because of Tourism once peace prevails.

 

[SpArK]

People welcoming a train as it emerges from India’s longest railway tunnel in the Pir Panjal range during its trial run on Friday. Photo: Nissar Ahmad

 

[third eye]

BBC News - In pictures: Kashmir train link

 

[Invincible INDIAN]

I will be travelling on 10th August by same train

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

This changes strategic importance of pathankot area too i think,earlier pathankot was vital as link between india and kashmir.As was national highway no.1[aim of kargil from pak side].With this line of communication open,how does this affect strategic equation?