On Thursday, the Indian Railways successfully conducted a train trial run on the newly constructed Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, connecting Sangaldan in Ramban district to Reasi. This follows the successful engine trial run on the Chenab Rail Bridge conducted by Indian Railways on Sunday, June 16.
#WATCH | J&K: Indian Railway conducts a trial run on the newly constructed world's highest railway bridge-Chenab Rail Bridge, built between Sangaldan in Ramban district and Reasi. Rail services on the line will start soon pic.twitter.com/gHGxhMHYe3
— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2024
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the successful electric engine trial from Sangaldan to Reasi, which included crossing the Chenab Bridge. In his X post, Vaishnaw stated, “1st trial train has successfully run from Sangaldan to Reasi, including crossing the Chenab Bridge. All construction works for the USBRL are nearly finished, with only tunnel No.1 remaining partially incomplete.”
1st trial train between Sangaldan to Reasi. pic.twitter.com/nPozXzz8HM
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) June 16, 2024
As the project nears completion, the Commissioner of Railways Safety (CRS), D.C. Deshwal, is set to inspect the 46-km Sangaldan-Reasi section on June 27 and 28. Deepak Kumar, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway, assured that all necessary work would be completed before the inspection.
The 272 km USBRL project has faced significant challenges due to complex geological and topographical conditions. Since its inception in 1997, 209 km of the route has been commissioned in phases. The remaining 17 km stretch between Reasi and Katra is expected to be completed by the end of the year, finally connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country by rail.
Sources within the Railways indicate that the inaugural train between Sangaldan and Reasi is expected to commence on June 30, following the successful trial run. Last month, Shobhan Chaudhuri, General Manager of Northern Railway, inspected the Chenab Bridge and the Bakkal-Duggar-Sawalkote-Sangaldan section to assess the project’s progress.
Train service from #Ramban to #Reasi via the world’s highest railway bridge built on river Chenab to begin soon. The #Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (#USBRL) project will be completed by year-end pic.twitter.com/YWn2giOzyZ
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) June 15, 2024
Union Minister Jitendra Singh also shared the news on X, stating, “The train service from #Ramban (Sangaldan) to #Reasi via the world’s highest railway bridge built on river Chenab to begin soon. The #Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (#USBRL) project will be completed by year-end.”
The Chenab Rail Bridge, standing 359 meters above the riverbed and 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower, is a critical component of the USBRL project.
