First Cable Stayed Bridge: The Indian Railways has successfully conducted the first loaded train trial run on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) through Tunnel No. 1 and the iconic Anji Khad cable-stayed bridge, marking a significant milestone in the ambitious project.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the development on X, noting, “First loaded train trial run through USBRL tunnel no. 1 and Anji Khad cable bridge.” This trial is part of a series of tests ahead of the official launch of train services along the route.
Railway officials stated that the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) will inspect the Katra-Reasi section of the USBRL within the next 15 days. This follows an earlier trial run involving an electric engine on the Anji Khad Bridge in Reasi district, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge. The CRS inspection is a critical step, and its report will determine the timeline for the operation of train services between Udhampur and Banihal.
The USBRL project, originally sanctioned in 1994-95, spans 272 kilometers and aims to connect Udhampur, Srinagar, and Baramulla by rail. The completion of the 17-km Reasi-Katra section is set to make train service from Udhampur to Baramulla a reality, offering enhanced connectivity and socio-economic development in the region.
