News Brief
Vande Bharat Train Crosses World's Highest Railway Bridge In First Trial Run On Jammu-Srinagar Route
Vande Bharat train crossing the Chenab railway bridge in J&K (Pic Via X)
In a significant development, the Indian Railways on Saturday (25 January) conducted the first trial run of the Vande Bharat train from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station to Srinagar station.
During the trial, the Vande Bharat train crossed the Chenab bridge, which is the world's highest railway bridge, India Today reported.
The train also crossed the Anji Khad Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge.
The Vande Bharat train set to operate on this section is specially designed for extreme weather conditions, equipped with anti-freezing features to ensure smooth operations even in temperatures as low as -20 degree Celsius.
A snow removal train will precede both passenger and freight trains, to ensure all-weather connectivity year-round.
Equipped with heated windshields, advanced heating systems, and specially designed bio-toilets, the Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is uniquely suited for extreme cold conditions.
Additionally, the train features heated water tanks and pipelines, each equipped with 900kW heating elements and silicone heating pads to prevent freezing.
These adaptations make the train capable of operating seamlessly in sub-zero temperatures, ensuring reliability and comfort in the Valley's challenging climate.
The Jammu-Kashmir rail link is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link (USBRL) project, also known as the Kashmir line, which received approval in the 1994-95 period.
The first three phases of the project were successfully completed by 2014, enabling train services between Baramulla and Banihal in the Kashmir valley.
Train services were also operational between Jammu, Udhampur, and Katra in the Jammu region.
However, the Banihal-Katra Section, spanning 111 kilometers, presented the greatest challenge due to geological factors.
In February 2024, a 48-kilometer stretch from Banihal to Sangaldan was inaugurated, followed by the 46-kilometer Sangaldan-Reasi section, which was authorised by CRS on 1 July 2024. The final segment, from Katra to Reasi, has recently received CRS approval.
The Banihal-Katra section has tunnel sections over a length of 97 km, while 7 km is covered by four main bridges. It also features the World’s highest arch bridge (i.e 359 m) on the Chenab River, which the Railways called "the toughest challenge," especially constructing foundation support of the bridge.
