Current Affairs question from Patwari exam, 2024 by JKSSB
When was the Banihal-Qazigund section of the railway project inaugurated?
Last updated May 13, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option B —
June 2013
• Inauguration Date: The Banihal-Qazigund section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project was officially inaugurated on June 26, 2013.
• Key Significance: This 18-km stretch was a landmark achievement because it connected the Jammu region (Banihal) to the Kashmir Valley (Qazigund) through the formidable Pir Panjal mountain range.
• The Pir Panjal Tunnel: The highlight of this section is the 11.2 km long Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel (also known as Tunnel T-80). At the time of its inauguration, it was India's longest railway tunnel, significantly reducing the travel time between Banihal and Qazigund from 35 km by road to just 18 km by rail.
• Connectivity: Before this section opened, the rail line in the valley was isolated; this inauguration was the first major step in linking the valley's internal rail network to the rest of the Indian railway system.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
