Railway Achievement: 18-Coach Trial Run on Katra-Budgam Line in J&K

Jammu, Jan 19 (NationPress) The trial run on the Katra-Budgam railway line of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) successfully concluded on Sunday, as the 18-coach trial train departed at 8 a.m. from Katra railway station heading towards Kashmir.

According to railway officials overseeing the trial, the 18-coach train has now reached Budgam, marking the completion of the final trial run on the USBRL.

This ambitious project, USBRL, was accomplished at a cost of Rs 41,000 crore. The railway track spans 326 Km, with 111 Km of it running through tunnels, including the T-49 tunnel, which measures 12.77 Km in length, making it the longest railway tunnel in India.

Additionally, Indian Railways has constructed the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The remarkable Chenab Bridge stretches 1,315m in length, featuring an arch span of 467m and a height of 359m above the riverbed. This steel and concrete arch bridge carries a single-track railway line and is situated between Bakkal and Kauri in Reasi district.

Spanning the Chenab River at a height of 359 m (1,178 ft) above the water, this bridge is recognized as the world’s highest rail bridge and the highest arch bridge globally. It connects Sangaldan and Reasi Railway Stations.

Moreover, Indian Railways has also introduced its first cable-stayed bridge over the Anji Khad, which features a deck elevated 331 meters above the riverbed and a main pylon height of 193 meters. This bridge towers 1,086 feet above the riverbed, comparable to the height of a 77-storey building.

The construction site, surrounded by towering mountain peaks, faces challenging weather conditions with gusty winds. The entire USBRL project has proven to be the most formidable task accomplished by Indian Railways, representing what is possibly the most challenging rail link ever constructed over such a vast distance through treacherous mountains, rivers, and difficult terrains.

The USBRL is set to significantly enhance the horticulture, agriculture, tourism, trade, and education sectors, making travel easier and more affordable for the common citizen between Kashmir and the rest of India.

This initiative is a vital infrastructure project linking J&K with other regions of the country. The Vande Bharat train will operate between Katra and Baramulla on the day of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though the exact date for this event has yet to be officially announced.