Srinagar, Dec 26 : General Manager Northern Railway, Ashutosh Gangal on Monday said the Katra-Banihal section of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is near completion and it will give a major boost to rail network in Jammu and Kashmir. The Katra-Banihal stretch is part of the prestigious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which has missed several deadlines in the past amid huge cost escalations since 1997, when the then Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda laid its foundation at Udhampur.
Speaking to reporters at Budgam, Ashutosh Gangal while expressing hope that Kashmir will be connected to rest of the country via train very soon, said the USBRL section is near completion, which will give a major boost to Budgam railway station, besides it will also be a maintenance based station.
He said the other facilities for the smooth functioning of all services on the track are being made as major efforts are on going. “The memo service will also be started very and the heating arrangements of trains in Kashmir valley are also being looked into,” he said.
He further said new coaches will be included which will have special features and will be for the comfort of passengers. (Agencies)
