Railways conduct trial run on world’s highest Chenab rail bridge in J-K
Indian Railways has successfully conducted a trial run on the newly constructed Chenab Rail Bridge, marking a significant milestone in railway engineering. Located in the Jammu and Kashmir region, this bridge stands as the world’s highest railway bridge, surpassing notable structures worldwide in terms of height and engineering prowess.
The Chenab Rail Bridge is strategically built between Sangaldan in Ramban district and Reasi, facilitating a crucial link in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. Officials have announced that regular rail services on this line will commence soon, enhancing connectivity in the region.
Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighted this achievement in a recent post on the social media platform X. He stated, “Successful trial run of MEMU train between Sangaldan – Reasi section of USBRL project Jammu & Kashmir,” emphasizing the project’s progress and its significance for the region’s rail network.
Currently, trains operate along the extensive railway line stretching from Kanyakumari to Katra. In the Kashmir Valley, rail services are already operational from Baramulla to Sangaldan, integrating various parts of the region and improving transportation infrastructure.
The completion of the USBRL project is anticipated by the end of this year. This ambitious project includes multiple phases, each contributing to the broader goal of connecting the Kashmir valley with the Indian Railway network, thus fostering economic and social integration.
The USBRL project witnessed the inauguration of its 48.1 km long Banihal-Sangaldan section by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 20, 2024. This section is a key component of the project, showcasing advanced engineering and construction techniques in a challenging terrain.
The project’s Phase I, covering the 118 km long Qazigund-Baramulla section, was inaugurated back in October 2009. Subsequent phases saw the inauguration of the 18 km long Banihal-Qazigund section in June 2013, and the 25 km long Udhampur-Katra section in July 2014, each phase progressively enhancing the rail connectivity in the region.
The Chenab Rail Bridge itself is a marvel of modern engineering, standing 359 meters (around 1,178 feet) above the Chenab River, which is approximately 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. The bridge spans 1,315 meters in length and forms a crucial part of the larger effort to make the Kashmir valley more accessible and connected to the rest of India through the railway network.
