Banmihal-Qazigund train flagged off by PM
Banihal(J&K), June 26(Scoop News)-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today inaugurated the 18 kilometer long rail link between Banihal in Jammu to Qazigund in the Valley on Wednesday.
Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi jointly flag off the first train at noon. marking the start of the rail service to the Kashmir Valley. The Prime Minister boards train to Qazigund from Banihal after flagging off ceremony.
The line will realise the 114-year-old dream of connecting Kashmir valley with Jammu and enable a much reduced travel time of approximately 20-25 minutes, which includes the country’s longest transportation tunnel through the Pir Panjal range. The 11.2 km long tunnel – called the T-80 or the Pir Panjal tunnel – has been constructed using the New Austrian Tunnel Method (NATM) for the first time .
The 8-coach train will make regular operation from Banihal to Baramulla from 27th June after the inaugural run.
MORE AT http://scoopnews.in/det.aspx?q=30081