TRAIN FROM BARAMULLA TO BANIHAL

               

Some Photographs of Banihal 

Photo Autar Mota

27.03.2011 and 28.03.2011

I am in Banihal . Yes Banihal pass that separates Kashmir from Plains of the country . This pass falls in PIR PANJAL range .There is a town below the pass once you cross it from kashmir valley and move towards jammu . This town located at the base of the pass is also known as Banihal. Prior to execution of Kashmir Rail Project , Banihal used to be a sleepy town on Jammu - Srinagar National highway . Vehicles going to Srinagar or coming from srinagar would halt here to enable passengers to have tea or snacks. Yes Toll Tax and State Excise Duty had also to be paid over here previously. Majority of the population over here speak kashmiri as their mother tongue. I came across some Thakkar Rajputs and Gadhies as well living in and around Neel -Chamalvass area which falls in close vicinity of the town. I am informed by some reliable persons of the town that Sh Hamid Ullah Khan IAS Ex Chief Secretary and Ex Advisor to Governor of J&K hails from from Neel Chamalvaas area. Falling under newly Created Ramban District ,Banihal is about 90 kms srinagar and about 210 kms from Jammu city .

Yes I shall say something about the prestigious Kashmir Rail project now. Now that Jammu Udhampur Rail link is since operational ( 2005), Kashmir rail Project actually means a train link between Udhampur and Baramulla. Indian Railways is supervising the 25 Kms Track from Udhampur to Katra while Konkan Railways is building the track from katra to Laole Sanghaldhan Section (90 km) and IRCON is building the Track from Laole Sanghaldhan to Baramulla. This is how three organizations are supervising this prestigious Kashmir Rail Project . Sanagaldhaan is approcheable from RAMBAN as well as from Reasi near katra . It is Close to Gool Ghulab Garh and Mahore area. Banihal to Udhampur segment is perhaps the toughest part of this Project in terms of Track alignment , Gradient , hills , Mighty Chenab river ,streams, Landslide Zones and poor Road connectivity for movement of men and material. The greatest engineering challenge involved is the crossing of the Chenab river by a bridge 1,315-metre-long and 359 metres above the river bed, . The Chenab Bridge will be the highest railway structure of its kind in the world,. Certainly 35 m higher than the tip of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Nonetheless Challenge is a challenge . IRCON and KONKAN Railways have proved their skill and expertise not only in India but also in various countries of Asia and Africa .I salute the Dedicated Teams of IRCON and KONKAN . You are really making the impossible to happen.

A Tunnel has been dug by IRCON team at the base of PIRPANJAL HILLS near Banihall Town just below the Jawahir Tunnel( Length 2500 metres approximately ) . This new Tunnel shall be about 8 metres wide having single Rail Track and a path for Movement of Rescue vehicles during any eventuality . New Banihal Tunnel is being constructed using the New Austrian Tunneling method or NATM. This New Rail Tunnel is about 11Kms in length out of which more than 10.8 Kms stand completed. Just 200 metres remain to be dug now. This digging is going from Both ends . One end of this Tunnel lies near Banihal Town while the other opens near Lower Munda Toll Post in Close vicinity of Qazigund village.I am thrilled to see the state of Art Technology being put to use . The digging teams from Both sides are going to meet in a 100 % error free manner made possible through use of GPRS , Digital mapping and NATM . Rock cutting Machines ,Steel Ribs, heavy pumps to drain water out of the tunnel and RCC spraying machines are being put to use almost round the clock inside the Tunnel. I am informed that electrification , Ventilation and laying of Track is another challenge. A massive Station complex is fast coming up near Banihal Town.The economy of the town is undergoing a rapid change . Government has also set up a Banihal Development Authority 

I am informed that Land prices have shot up to Rs 20 lakhs a kanal in this 5 Kms by 1 Km Picturesque valley surrounded by snow capped hills .I am informed by IRCON officials that once every thing settles down this section of the train journey shall be the loveliest and enjoyable and comparable to the Switzerland train Journey. The train is bound to move through snow clad hills with thick snow carpet spread on earth during winter season. Not far off. Just wait to ride Baramulla - Banihal Train in June 2012. SO LET US WAIT FOR ANOTHER LOVEABLE JOURNEY.

  

Kissi Ko Ghar Se Nikaltey Hi Mil Gayee manzil

  Koyee Hamaari Tarah Umar Bhar Safar Mein Rahaa.                                                          

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