Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla link: Railways flags key delays - 'crucial work still pending'

The communication system inside the escape tunnels of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link (USBRL) project is still incomplete and needs fine-tuning, Northern Railway has said in a written complaint to its service provider, Konkan Railway Communication Limited.

The Katra-Sangaldan section — the final leg of the 272-km USBRL meant to connect Kashmir to the rest of India — was scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 19. However, the event was postponed due to predicted bad weather, and a new date is yet to be announced.

Konkan Railway Communication Limited was awarded the task of installing an integrated tunnel communication system for the safe and efficient operation of trains.

However, according to the Northern Railway's letter, despite various written instructions as well as repeated verbal discussions, the KRCL has not completed crucial work essential for communication inside the tunnel.

According to the letter, the inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) from Sangaldan to Reasi section was done on June 18 last year and Reasi to Katra on January 8 this year but tunnel VHF communication works are still not completed at the site.

"From Sangaldan to Dugga and Katra-Reasi section, tunnel VHF (very high frequency) communication has not been activated in the escape tunnel till yet," the letter, addressed to the chairman and managing director of the KRCL, said, complaining that important communication components required for 'adits' (opening of tunnel) have not been supplied yet, according to news agency PTI.

Besides the escape tunnels, the letter also highlighted challenges in seamless communication in the main tunnels and said, "In VHF Communication in Main Tunnels in Sangaldan-Dugga and Katra Reasi sections, compliant of noise, voice not clear, communication break, communication at one station only are also reported by user department." "Also, all the 6 channels designed for VHF communication are to be fine-tuned. Hence OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) should be called to settle these issues so that continuous and clear VHF Communication should be made available," it added.

The letter has also flagged the delay in the supply and installation of Voice Recording Equipment (VRE) in all block sections from Katra to Sangaldan and said the installation of ROIP (Radio Over IP) in the new divisional control office, Jammu also has not started yet.

The Northern Railway maintained that in view of the incomplete works, the tunnel VHF system of these sections could not be offered to the Jammu Division.

"To avoid further delay, your immediate intervention in the matter is required for completion of balance works and complete commissioning of VHF works," the Northern Railway said.

It added, "Tunnel VHF Communication is a vital component of communication for train operation in Katra-Banihal section." At present, train services are operational between Baramulla and Sangaldan via Qazigund and Banihal.