A successful trial run of the MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) train was conducted on the newly constructed Electrified Line Section (Reasi-Sangaldan) of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link (USBRL) project. The trial run, which took place today, covered a distance of 46 km at a speed of 40 kmph, commencing at 12:35 pm from Sangaldan and reaching Reasi at 14:05 pm. The train traversed nine tunnels, totaling 40.787 km in length, including the longest tunnel, T-44, which spans 11.13 km.
The highlight of the trial run was the crossing of the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge, standing tall as the world’s highest railway bridge. With a central span of 467 meters and a staggering height of 359 meters, the bridge connects Dugga and Bakkal stations across the Chenab River. The bridge, standing 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower, is a testament to the engineering marvels of the USBRL project.
The Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir has seen the implementation of advanced Railway Electrification using ROCS (Rigid Overhead Conductor System) technology at 25 kV, a first for Indian Railways. This technological advancement further strengthens the connectivity to the region, complementing the existing train services that operate from Kanyakumari to Katra and from Baramulla to Sangaldan in the Kashmir Valley.
The USBRL project, including the 48.1 km Banihal-Sangaldan section, is slated to be completed by the end of the year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the project on February 20, 2024, marking a significant step towards the integration of the Kashmir Valley into the Indian Railway network. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a post on X, confirmed the successful trial run of the MEMU train between Sangaldan and Reasi sections of the USBRL project.
Phase I of the project, covering the 118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section, was inaugurated in October 2009. Subsequent phases witnessed the inauguration of the 18 km Banihal-Qazigund section in June 2013 and the 25 km Udhampur-Katra section in July 2014.
The Chenab Rail Bridge, spanning 1,315 meters, plays a vital role in connecting the Kashmir Valley to the Indian Railway network. It is a key component of a larger effort to improve connectivity and access to the region, contributing to its economic development and growth.
