The Indian Railways took a major step forward in their ambitious project by conducting the first train trial run from Sangaldan to Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir, including crossing the Chenab Rail Bridge, which is the highest railway bridge in the world. Railway officials inspected the newly constructed line and checked the railway stations between Sangaldan and Reasi. The Chenab bridge, situated 359 meters above sea level, not only offers a stunning view but also showcases the engineering marvel involved in its construction. Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of the first trial run passing through the Chenab bridge on his social media platform.
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) will have trains running on the 272 km route, including crossing the beautiful Chenab bridge. It is anticipated that the USBRL will be finished by the end of this year, offering reliable transportation to the valley in all weather conditions. This impressive engineering project will not just overcome geographical challenges in the area but also upgrade it with contemporary and diverse infrastructure.
The trial run took place between Sangaldan Railway Station and Reasi Railway Station. It is anticipated that a regular train service will soon begin between Reasi and Baramulla. Deepak Kumar, an Engineer with Konkan Railways, stated to the media that Jammu will soon be linked to Kashmir through this new rail service. The USBRL project aims to connect the Valley to the rest of India and falls under the jurisdiction of the Firozpur railway division of Indian Railways’ Northern zone.
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This incredible feat of engineering highlights the extraordinary creativity of mankind in conquering difficult geographical obstacles to create a groundbreaking modern structure. The Northern Railway recently declared that a fascinating bridge will soon be crossed by the train service running from Ramban to Reasi. At present, trains are running on the route from Kanyakumari to Katra, with stops at various stations including Baramulla to Sangaldan in the Kashmir Valley. Recently, a thorough examination of the new railway line and stations from Sangaldan in Ramban district to Reasi was conducted by railway authorities. Here are some intriguing facts about the bridge:
- Each face of this globally recognized structure measures around a quarter of the size of a football field.
- The Chenab Rail Bridge was constructed using 30,000 metric tons of steel.
- The total cost of building the bridge amounted to ₹14,000 crore.
- Its design ensures it can withstand extreme conditions, such as temperatures as low as -40°C and seismic activity.
- The bridge is also capable of enduring wind speeds of up to 260 km/h.
Phase I of the project, which involved the 118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section, commenced in October 2009. The following phases included the inauguration of the 18 km Banihal-Qazigund section in June 2013 and the 25 km Udhampur-Katra section in July 2014. On February 20, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the USBRL project, which features the 48.1 km Banihal-Sangaldan section.
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