Banihal-Khari rail-line likely to open on Jan 3 after CRS inspection

A view of Banihal-Khari Railway Station.
A view of Banihal-Khari Railway Station.

Excelsior Correspondent

RAMBAN, Jan 1: The Banihal-Khari section of the rail link of USBRL project is likely to be thrown open after the scheduled Commissioner of Railways Safety (CRS) inspection on Wednesday (January 3).
The Ferozpur Division of Northern Railway has instructed people to stay away from Banihal-Khari track.
A handout stated that the second round of statutory inspection by the CRS, Dinesh Chand Deshwal for the opening of Banihal-Khari 14.869 km track is all set for Wednesday.
During inspection, the CAO USBRL, construction officers and other concerned officers shall accompany the CRS.
Official sources said that CRS will check the newly constructed railway line in Banihal-Khari section of the Ferozpur Division of Northern Railway which will be opened with electric train operation shortly.
They said that a high-speed trial of the section by special train will be conducted by the CRS on Wednesday after the trolley inspection.
Thereafter, new line train work will start between Banihal-Khari Stations of the USBRL project.
“Crossing the track at any location and trespassing is a punishable offence and is liable for prosecution under the Railway Act,” Railway authorities informed.
It will be the first step after years of work between Udhampur-Banihal Section of USBRL-a dream national project.
Khari Railway Station falls between Banihal and Katra on the remaining 111 km stretch of the USBRL project.
“The Banihal-Khari Railway Station is expected to be thrown open anytime after January 3 whereas the entire Katra-Banihal stretch is scheduled to open by March 2024,” Senior Northern Railway officers said.