JAMMU, Jan 4: The inaugural trial train journey took place on the Katra-Banihal section of the railway on Saturday, winding through the breathtaking Himalayas and snow-covered peaks. This marks a significant milestone ahead of the final safety inspections scheduled for next week, which will decide the launch of rail services to Kashmir.
Over the past month, the Railways conducted six trials across different segments of the route, accomplishing key milestones including India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, and the remarkable arch bridge over the Chenab at Kauri, recognized as the highest railway bridge in the world.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), Sandeep Gupta, confirmed the success of today’s trial run and mentioned that officials were involved in the process.
He noted that the Commissioner of Railway Safety is set to carry out statutory inspections and trials on January 7 and 8.
“Following these inspections, the commissioner will prepare a report that will inform the next steps regarding the commencement of train services to Kashmir,” Gupta explained.
“Everything ran smoothly. We managed a return speed of 75 kmph, while the commissioner’s trials will reach up to 110 kmph. This run serves as preparation for that,” he added.
Passengers experienced an exhilarating train run between Katra and Banihal, surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountains that beautifully highlighted the engineering feats of the project. The train arrived at Banihal railway station around 1:30 pm.
Gupta was onboard alongside officials from USBRL, Northern Railway, and various construction firms.
The USBRL project is designed to link the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India via rail.
Among its engineering achievements is the Anji Khad Bridge, characterized by a single pylon that rises 331 meters above the riverbed. Often described as an “engineering marvel,” the bridge spans a total of 473.25 meters and features 48 cables across its various structures.
Construction on the pylon began in 2017, and it now stands at 191 meters above its foundation. Just behind the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab bridge at Kauri, which towers at 359 meters above the riverbed—35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris—the Anji Khad Bridge is hailed as the second-highest railway bridge.
In November, Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh indicated Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the Vande Bharat train service connecting Kashmir to New Delhi as part of the USBRL project this January.
With the phased commissioning of train services, the Railways will complete 255 kilometers of the 272-kilometer USBRL project, leaving only a short stretch between Katra and Reasi to be finalized by December.
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