Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain inspected the security measures for the recently opened Banihal-Sangaldan railway line. This 48.1 km stretch is part of the larger Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, considered a national infrastructure priority.
USBRL Project Progress
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Banihal-Sangaldan section in February 2024.
- The total USBRL project spans 272 km, with 161 km already operational in phases.
- Phase 1 (Qazigund-Baramulla, 118 km) – October 2009
- Phase 2 (Banihal-Qazigund, 18 km) – June 2013
- Phase 3 (Udhampur-Katra, 25 km) – July 2014
- Construction on the remaining Katra-Sangaldan section is expected to be completed by May or June 2024.
Security Review
DGP Swain visited the Banihal railway station and inspected the new tracks. He then chaired a meeting with senior railway and police officials at Sangaldan station to discuss security arrangements for the line.
This review highlights the importance placed on safeguarding this critical infrastructure project.
