Electric Engine Rolls Through India's First Cable-Stayed Rail Bridge In J&K - Video

On Wednesday, the Railways said that an electric engine was tested on India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, opening the way for train service to Kashmir to begin in January of next year.

"First electric engine rolling through Tunnel No. 1 and the Anji Khad Cable Bridge," Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a post on X, along with a video of the testing run.

The Indian Railways is set to launch operations linking the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate these operations in January 2025, although the exact date is yet to be confirmed. This initiative includes the highly anticipated New Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, marking a significant achievement for Indian Railways.

Historic New Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Sleeper Train

The New Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will be India’s first sleeper train in the Vande Bharat series. It will operate on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), covering over 800 km in under 13 hours. The train is designed to withstand the region's harsh weather conditions, ensuring passenger comfort and safety.

Key Stops: New Delhi, Ludhiana Junction, Ambala Cantt, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Jammu Tawi, Banihal, Kathua, and Sangaldan.
Schedule: Departs New Delhi at 7 PM and reaches Srinagar by 8 AM the next day.

Final Preparations Underway

The final inspection of the Katra-Reasi section of the USBRL will be conducted by the railway safety commissioner on January 5. This follows a successful trial run by a cargo train on the 17 km Katra-Reasi stretch. 

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the completion of track construction, including ballastless tracks in the 3.2 km-long Tunnel T-33 near Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.

The Anji Khad Bridge has a total length of 473.25 metres, with the viaduct measuring 120 metres and the central embankment 94.25 metres, the officials said.

Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh announced in November that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the Vande Bharat train connecting Kashmir to New Delhi on the USBRL in January.

A New Era for Indian Railways

The launch of this rail connection represents a significant milestone, improving accessibility and fostering connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country. With enhanced safety features and state-of-the-art infrastructure, this initiative promises a faster, safer, and more comfortable travel experience.

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