J&K: Indian Railways Conducts Trial Run On World’s Highest Railway Bridge – The Chenab Railway Bridge

The Indian Railways successfully conducted a trial run of an eight-coach MEMU train on the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Rail Bridge, in Jammu and Kashmir.

This arch bridge, situated 1,178 feet above the river bed between Bakkal and Kauri in Reasi district, forms a vital bridge between Katra and Banihal.

“After a comprehensive inspection of the newly constructed Chenab Bridge by senior officials of Railway Board, Northern Railway, and Konkan Railway, a trial run was conducted at a speed of 40 kmph on the 46-km long electrified line section between Sangaldan and Reasi in Ramban district,” the Railway Ministry said.

The trial run started from Sangaldan at 12:35 pm and successfully reached Reasi at 2:05 pm. The route passes through nine tunnels on the way, with a total length of 40.787 km, with the longest being the T-44 tunnel at 11.13 km.”

Indian Railways had earlier successfully trialed the engine on this marvelous engineering device on Sunday, June 16.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the successful electric engine trial in a post on X.

The Iconic Chenab Bridge, with a total length of 1,315 m and an arch span of 467 m, is built at 359 m (1,178 ft) over the Chenab River. It is the world’s highest arch railway bridge, 35 m higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The bridge is crucial to the Rs 35,000 crore Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project.

The resumption of rail services on the 46-km long Sangaldan-Reasi section comes after a successful trial run on the bridge, which is a crucial part of the USBRL project.

“After several such trials, the bridge will be opened for all rail services, which will be a significant step towards seamlessly connecting the Kashmir Valley with Jammu and the wider Indian landscape,” the ministry said.

“This will promote social integration by facilitating easy movement of people and goods, thereby promoting cultural exchange and regional development and boosting economic activities such as tourism and trade,” the ministry said.

Indian Railways has laid a 272 km long railway line from Udhampur to Baramulla under the USBRL project, providing an alternative and reliable transportation system to Jammu and Kashmir.