Indian Railways has successfully conducted a trial run of an eight-coach MEMU train on the iconic Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. This significant milestone paves the way for the launch of rail services from Reasi to Baramulla in Kashmir.
The ministry confirmed that this trial run marked the first complete train to traverse the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest arch railway bridge, connecting Dugga and Bakkal stations across the Chenab river. “Following an extensive inspection of the newly constructed Chenab Bridge by senior officers from the Railway Board, Northern Railway, and Konkan Railway, a trial run was conducted on a 46-km-long electrified line section between Sangaldan in Ramban district and Reasi at a speed of 40 kmph,” the Railway Ministry said in a statement.
“It was successfully conducted, starting at 12:35 pm from Sangaldan and arriving in Reasi at 2:05 pm. Along the way, it passed through nine tunnels with a combined length of 40.787 km, including the longest tunnel, T-44, which stretches 11.13 km,” the statement added.
The video of the trial run shows a train passing through the towering railway bridge over the Chenab River.
Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, also shared the pictures of the trial run on X and said: “Successful trial run of MEMU train between Sangaldan – Reasi section of USBRL project. Jammu & Kashmir”.
When is the project expected to be completed?
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, spanning 272 kilometres, is slated for completion by the end of the year. Presently, trains run from Kanyakumari to Katra and from Baramulla to Sangaldan in Kashmir. The project faced challenges due to complex geological and topographical conditions. According to a report by the Times of India citing Railway sources, trials between Sangaldan and Reasi are anticipated to commence from June 30.
About Chenab Rail Bridge
The Chenab Rail Bridge, a true engineering marvel, stands tall at a staggering 359 meters above the Chenab river, surpassing the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris by around 35 meters. This monumental 1,315 metre-long bridge is a key component of a comprehensive project aimed at enhancing accessibility to the Kashmir valley through the Indian Railway network.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 48.1 km long Banihal-Sangaldan section of the USBRL project on February 20, 2024. The project, which received official approval in December 2004, witnessed the completion of track laying by March 2023.
The project’s initial phase, encompassing the 118 km long Qazigund-Baramulla section, was inaugurated in October 2009. Subsequently, in June 2013, the 18 km long Banihal-Qazigund section was unveiled, followed by the inauguration of the 25 km long Udhampur-Katra section in July 2014.
The Chenab Rail Bridge stands as a testament to India’s engineering prowess and commitment to enhancing connectivity in the region.