Jammu, Jan 19: The trial run of the Katra-Budgam railway segment of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) was successfully completed on Sunday, with an 18-coach trial train departing Katra railway station at 8 a.m. en route to Kashmir.
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According to railway officials overseeing the trial, the 18-coach train has now arrived in Budgam, marking the completion of the final trial run on the USBRL.
This ambitious project was realized at a cost of ₹41,000 crore and spans 326 kilometers, with 111 kilometers traversing through tunnels, including the T-49 tunnel, which is the longest railway tunnel in India at 12.77 kilometers.
Indian Railways has also constructed the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The remarkable Chenab Bridge measures 1,315 meters in length, has an arch span of 467 meters, and stands 359 meters above the river bed. This steel and concrete arch bridge serves a single-track railway line between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu Division.
Perched 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the Chenab River, it is recognized as the highest railway bridge in the world. Additionally, Indian Railways has built its first cable-stayed bridge over the Anji Khad, featuring a deck that is 331 meters above the riverbed and a main pylon that rises to 193 meters. This bridge, supported by a single towering pylon reaching 1,086 feet, resembles the height of a 77-story building, situated amid the peaks that surround the construction site, known for its strong winds.
The entire USBRL project is a remarkable achievement for Indian Railways, being one of the most challenging rail links constructed globally, traversing across difficult terrains, rivers, and unpredictable weather conditions over a vast distance.
The completion of the USBRL will significantly enhance horticulture, agriculture, tourism, trade, and education, while facilitating easier and more economical travel between Kashmir and the rest of India. This infrastructure project is a crucial development that connects Jammu and Kashmir to other regions of the country. On the day of the official inauguration, the Vande Bharat train is expected to commence operations between Katra and Baramulla; however, the exact date for the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet to be announced. (AGENCIES)
