10 key facts about Udhampur-Katra rail link

1. The Udhampur-Katra rail section in Jammu and Kashmir is ready for inauguration! Once the line becomes operational, it will enable pilgrims to the Vaishno Devi shrine to travel directly to the base camp at Katra.
2.  Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1050 crore, the route consists of seven tunnels and 30 small and big bridges.A total of seven tunnels span over 10 km of the 25-km stretch.
3. The 53-km-long Jammu-Udhampur railway line was already operational and once the Udhampur-Katra line, which is a part of the Kashmir rail link project, becomes operational the trains would be able to come to Katra directly.
4. An estimated 10 million devotees pay obeisance at the Vaishno Devi shrine every year. 
5. The Udhampur-Katra rail route passes through hostile terrain, making it an extremely challenging project.
6. The most difficult task for railways was to complete and lay tracks on 3.1-km-long tunnel on the route.
7. The track has missed several deadlines. Ex-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was due to inaugurate the link in February before the inauguration was postponed due to lack of safety clearance.
8. The tallest bridge on Udhampur-Katra section is 85m high and the longest tunnel 3.15km-long.
9. To begin with, two trains -- Delhi-Katra Express and Kalka-Katra Express -- will run on the section.
10. Katra station will boast of several facilities of an A-class station which includes a VIP lounge and spacious parking lot. The four platforms can accommodate 26-coach trains.