New Himalayan Tunneling Method Cuts Through Tough Katra–Banihal Terrain: Rail Minister Ashwini V

New Himalayan Tunneling Method Cuts Through Tough Katra–Banihal Terrain: Rail Minister Ashwini V The successful Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi is giving a new impetus to the development of Jammu and Kashmir. The honorable Lieutenant Governor Mr. Manoj Sinha, the honorable Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah, respected Union Minister Shri Jitendra Singh Ji were present on the momentous occasion of the inauguration of Chenab Bridge. And all the ministers, MPs, MLAs, railway officials joined virtually. I heartily welcome all of you to this holy land of Katra, said the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. It is a historic day. Another jewel has been added to the crown of Mother India. Shri Narendra Modi has inaugurated the railway line connecting Jammu to Srinagar. The country had cherished the dream of Jammu- Srinagar -Baramulla railway line for decades. High mountains, deep valleys, whatever difficulties came, by making harmony with nature, today with the help of the network of bridge and tunnel this Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) has become a reality. And this has been possible due to the strong determination, hard work and laser sharp focus of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Railway Minister asked everyone to stand up and chant Bhart Mata ki Jay to welcome the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. Two special bridges built in the lap of Himalayas have been inaugurated by our PM. Chenab Bridge and Anji Bridge. Chenab Bridge is 359 metres tall, the structure is taller than the Eiffel Tower. Chenab Bridge is the tallest Railway Arch Bridge. Anji Bridge is the first Cable Stayed Bridge of the Indian Railways. The T 50 tunnel built on this line is the largest transportation tunnel about 12.7Km in length.Katra to Banihal was a very difficult section. After 2014, work had strated. This 111 km long section has 97 km tunnel and 7 km bridge. That is, the entire section is made up of tunnel and bridge. Building tunnels and bridges in the Himalayas is a very difficult task. Many innovations were made. A new Himalayan tunneling method has been developed. I would like to thank all the engineers, technicians and designers who worked under difficult conditions. The PM has also launched two new Vande Bharat Trains connecting Jammu and Srinagar. A lot of work is going on at the Jammu station and it will be completed by September, that is why this train has left from Katra today. By September, the Vande Bharat trains will run from Jammu to Srinagar winding through the beautiful valleys of Kashmir. A new historical experience will be found in the jouney. I salute our Prime Minister for this inspiring guidance. I congratulate him for his strong decisions for the development of Jammu and Kashmir, said the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in his adrress in Katra after the inauguration of Chenab Bridge.