Progress on the Chenab Bridge and the rest of Kashmir Rail Link

[jis]

JIS: Why is it called an asymmetrical bridge? It seem to have an equal number of cables on each side of the central pillar? Admittedly I was not able to count the cables in these images but they looked equal.

I think it has to do with the fact that the cable supported decks on the two sides of the supporting pillar are of different length.

 

[Gemuser]

Thanks, a reasonable assumption.

 

[jis]

Looks like one of the three mentioned extensions of the Kashmir Rail Link is moving towards reality. Tenders have been called for the 50km extension from the current Norther terminus at Baramulla to Uri near the Line of Control between India and Pakistan.

50-km Baramulla-Uri railway line in offing - Greater Kashmir

Srinagar, May 14: In a significant development, the northern railways is all set to start work on the 50 kilometer Baramulla- Uri stretch in Kashmir,…

www.greaterkashmir.com

The other extension that has been sanctioned is the 39km Baramulla to Kupwara extension, yet another to the vicinity of the LoC further North. The third extension is a long range plan to add a branch up Zoji La Pass to Kargil and thence to Leh.

 

[jis]

Just a quick update. Recently I saw a set of photos in an article in local language. They show that laying of track on the bridge is complete. Electrification poles are in place, getting ready to receive catenary. It is likely that the entire project will be ready for initial service late in 2024 or early 2025, even thugh they officially say mid-2024.

 

[jis]

I was trying to trace the route on Google Terrain Map, and discovered that most of it is in tunnels. It comes out of tunnels for a short distance at each station. But the few places that it is visible, augmented by available YouTube videos more recent than Google map updates, clearly tracks are in place and at least electrification poles are in place. Catenary installation is in progress but there is quite a ways to go before that is completed.

 

[jis]

Here is a very informative article about the Katra - Banihal last phase of the Kashmir Rail Link. Unfortunately one has to have a subscription to Railway Gazette International, but as it is the best and most impartial article devoid of any nationalist chest thumping that I could find, I thought I will post it with the subscription warning anyway...

India: Kashmir link nears completion

The long-planned railway connection to Kashmir is on course to open throughout by the end of this year, after 30 years of mixed progress which has seen the estimated cost spiral to almost Rs400bn. Raghu Dayal reports.

www.railwaygazette.com

Now it looks highly likely that the entire project will be completed and service inaugurate sometime in 2024. The more optimistic think it will be by March but I am not one those, given what I know about the state of work on Tunnel T1. Later in the year seems more likely to me.