USBRL Project: Indian Railways Achieves Milestone With Trial Run Of 18-Coach Train On Katra-Budgam Railway Track

The trial run on the Katra-Budgam railway track of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) was completed on Sunday (19 January).

The 18-coach trial train departed from Katra railway station at 8 am and headed towards Kashmir.

"The trial 18-coach train has reached Budgam now and this completes the final trial run on the USBRL," said Railway officials monitoring the trial run.

The ambitious USBRL project, completed at a cost of Rs 41,000 crore, spans 326 kilometers.

Notably, 111 km of this track pass through tunnels, including the T-49 tunnel, which stretches 12.77 km, making it the longest railway tunnel in India.

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

The iconic Chenab Bridge spans 1,315 meters, featuring an arch span of 467 meters and a height of 359 meters above the riverbed.

This steel and concrete arch bridge carries a single-track railway line and connects Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district.

Soaring 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the Chenab River, the bridge holds the title of the world's highest rail bridge and features the highest arch globally. It is located between Sangaldan and Reasi railway stations.

Indian Railways has also achieved a milestone by constructing its first cable-stayed bridge over the Anji Khad.

The bridge features a deck 331 meters above the riverbed, supported by a main pylon towering 193 meters.

This single-pylon structure rises 1,086 feet, equivalent to the height of a 77-story building, offering stability over a river prone to seasonal monsoon surges.

Indian Railways has successfully completed this monumental USBRL project, considered one of the most complex rail links in the world due to its extensive span across treacherous mountains, rivers, and challenging weather conditions.

The USBRL is poised to transform the region by boosting horticulture, agriculture, tourism, trade, and education. It will also facilitate affordable and convenient travel between Kashmir and the rest of the country for common citizens.

Once inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Vande Bharat train will begin operations between Katra and Baramulla. The official date for the inauguration is yet to be announced.

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