Kashmir’s First Electric Train to Start from October 2
The total route length for electrification is 137.73 km with three main sub-stations at Qazigund, Budgam and Baramulla, from where power will be supplied to the overhead equipment of the rail line.
Photo Credit: IANS
From October 2, travellers will get to experience something new in Kashmir. The Valley will cross another milestone as J&K is getting its first electric train.
According to officials, the train will start moving on the 137 km Banihal-Baramulla corridor. Notably, since August 2019, the J&K government, Indian Railways, and Indian Railway Construction Limited have been working jointly on this project.
However, it will go through an examination on September 26 and will be inaugurated on October 2. Officials said that the project cost was Rs 324 crore. He also said that the Budgam-Baramulla section is already complete.
The three main sub-stations will be Qazigund, Budgam, and Baramulla. From there, power will be supplied to the overhead equipment of the rail line and the total route length for electrification is 137.73 km.
Again, the motive behind this project is to reduce pollution. It will also save 60 percent on fuel consumption. Additionally, actions are being taken to connect Banihal and Katra. When the Katra-Banihal link is complete, Kashmir will be better connected to the rest of the country.
A local named Muhammad Ramzan was quoted by IANS saying that this is an important step that will help J&K join the ranks of other developed states where modern facilities are available. It may be recalled that Kashmir got its first train service in 2013 when it was inaugurated by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Again, the train is assumed to have a positive impact on the environment as it would lessen pollution. Further, it will improve the efficiency of trains as electric engines are more efficient than diesel engines. Also, it will cut fuel expenses as there would be no need for transportation of fuel.
Currently, 19 train services with seven trains chug regularly on Baramulla- Banihal sector in J&K. About 30,000 passengers including students and office goers travel in the trains every day.
