Indian Railways marked a historic milestone on June 20 by successfully conducting a trial run of an eight-coach Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train on the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, located in Jammu and Kashmir. This achievement paves the way for the commencement of rail services along the route from Reasi to Baramulla in Kashmir.
The trial run followed an extensive inspection of the newly constructed Chenab Bridge by senior officials from the Railway Board, Northern Railway, and Konkan Railway. According to a statement from the Railway Ministry, the trial was conducted on a 46-kilometer electrified section of track between Sangaldan in Ramban district and Reasi, with the train traveling at a speed of 40 kmph.
“The trial run was successfully carried out, starting at 12:35 pm from Sangaldan and reaching Reasi at 2:05 pm,” the ministry’s statement read. “On the way, the train passed through nine tunnels with a combined length of 40.787 kilometers, including the longest tunnel, T-44, which spans 11.13 kilometers.”
This trial marked the first time a full train crossed the iconic Chenab Bridge, which spans the Chenab River between Dugga and Bakkal stations. The Chenab Bridge is renowned for being the world’s highest arch railway bridge, adding to the significance of this trial run.
The stations involved in this historic route—Reasi, Bakkal, Dugga, and Sawlakote—are all located within the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The Railway Ministry highlighted the advanced technology used in this project, noting that the electrification work on this section was executed using the Rigid Overhead Conductor System (ROCS) at 25 kV, a first for Indian Railways.
Upon the MEMU train’s arrival at Reasi railway station, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and national pride. Chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ echoed as a large crowd gathered to witness the historic event. The train carried employees who had worked on the project, as well as railway officials, marking a celebratory moment for all involved.
This successful trial run on the Chenab Bridge is not just a technological feat but also a symbol of progress and connectivity for the region. The bridge itself is an engineering marvel, standing 359 meters above the riverbed and stretching 1.315 kilometers in length. Its completion and the successful trial run signify a major step forward in enhancing rail connectivity in the challenging terrains of Jammu and Kashmir.
The introduction of rail services on this route is expected to bring significant socio-economic benefits to the region, improving accessibility and boosting local economies. The project is part of the larger Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which aims to provide seamless rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.
As Indian Railways moves closer to launching regular services on this route, the successful trial on the Chenab Bridge stands as a testament to the nation’s engineering capabilities and commitment to infrastructural development. The completion of this project is eagerly anticipated by the local communities and the nation as a whole, marking a new chapter in the region’s integration with the rest of India.
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