Inspection of tracks, tunnels, bridges carried out by DRM on Jammu–Katra rail route

As several trains continue to remain suspended after the damage to the railway infrastructure in the Jammu region due to flash-floods in August, the Divisional Railway Manager, Jammu, Vivek Kumar, conducted a thorough inspection of the Jammu-Katra rail section on Saturday.

Additional Divisional Manager, Akshay Kumar Marantu, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Operations Manager, Arish Bansal, and other senior divisional officials were present during the inspection.

Advertisement

The primary objective of the inspection was to assess the operational status of the Jammu-Katra rail section and evaluate critical infrastructure for future development projects, said a railway spokesman.

During the inspection, the Divisional Railway Manager thoroughly inspected the railway tracks, signalling systems, tunnels, bridges, and other infrastructure along the approximately 80-kilometer Jammu-Katra rail section. Stations along this section, including Bajalta, Sangar, Manwal, and Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan, were thoroughly inspected. The commitment to improving passenger facilities and operations at these stations was highlighted. Along with this, passenger facilities and safety standards, such as the condition of platforms, structural safety of flyovers and advanced safety systems, were also inspected.

During this inspection, railway tunnels and railway bridges on the rail section were inspected to ensure their structural stability and the condition of the railway tracks was also assessed.

Signalling and telecommunications play a vital role in train operations.
As a result, a detailed inspection of the functioning of signalling interlocking systems and telecommunications equipment was carried out for safe train operations.

The DRM while inspecting the Jammu-Katra rail section, said, “Passenger safety is our top priority. This comprehensive inspection drive is part of our regular process to ensure the strength and reliability of our infrastructure.”

He further stated that this comprehensive inspection has been conducted to ensure the safe and reliable operation of rail services during the upcoming harsh weather conditions.

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Tourism Trade and Industry Katra (CTTIK) has expressed deep concern over the hardships being faced by Vaishnodevi pilgrims due to the delay in restoring the damaged railway network in the Jammu region. The railway infrastructure suffered extensive damage following continuous rains and water-logging in August, yet despite the passage of two months, the situation remains largely unresolved.

Pilgrims who had made train reservations for September and October found their journeys abruptly cancelled by the railway authorities at the eleventh hour, causing immense inconvenience and financial losses. Worryingly, the same trend is being observed for November bookings, leaving thousands of devotees uncertain about their travel plans.
CTTIK noted that the business community of the Jammu division, in general, and Katra in particular, continues to reel under multiple setbacks.

The region’s hospitality and tourism sectors were already struggling after the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April, followed by operation Sindoor and then the torrential rains in August. Now the disruption, delay, cancellation and short termination of train services have added yet another blow to the fragile economic ecosystem, stated CTTIK president Raj Kumar Padha.