Katra, Dec 25: As Kashmir prepares for enhanced rail connectivity, Northern Railway is finalizing its groundwork. A successful trial run featuring an engine and a goods train was recently completed on the 17-kilometer Katra-Reasi track. A senior official at Northern Railway reported, “In addition, a trial run of a tower wagon was carried out on India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji Khad, which is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.” He added, “The engine trial train operated at a speed of 30 km/h, while the goods train traveled at 20 km/h. Further trials will take place until the final inspection is done.”
Another official involved with train operations on the USBRL project noted that engine speeds will be increased in the future, stating, “Very soon, electric engines will also be operating on this line.”
Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, shared an update on X, saying, “Trial run of tower wagon on India’s First Cable-Stayed Railway Bridge at Anji Khad for USBRL Project in J&K.”
Officials provided additional information on upcoming railway operations for the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link. They announced that statutory inspections will be held from January 5 to January 6, 2025, for the opening of the Katra-Reasi section (16.501 km). The inspection is scheduled to commence at 20:50 hours on January 5 and conclude by 07:55 hours on January 6. Following the inspection, the Commissioner of Railways Safety (CRS) is expected to submit a report to the Union Government on January 8.
It’s noteworthy that the first phase of the USBRL Project, covering the 118 km long Qazigund-Baramulla section, was inaugurated in October 2009. Subsequent phases included the launch of the 18 km Banihal-Qazigund section in June 2013 and the 25 km Udhampur-Katra section in July 2014. In February, successful trials for the first electric train were conducted over roughly 40 km of track between Banihal and Sangaldan Railway Stations in Ramban district.
The USBRL Project features 38 tunnels totalling 119 km in length, including the country’s longest transportation tunnel, T-49, at 12.75 km. Furthermore, the project consists of 927 bridges, with a cumulative length of 13 km. Among these is the iconic Chenab Bridge, which stretches 1,315 m, has an arch span of 467 m, and rises 359 m above the riverbed, making it approximately 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower – it holds the title of the world’s highest arch railway bridge. (KNO)
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