Vande Bharat Express completes historic trial run on World’s highest railway bridge in J&K | Watch

The Vande Bharat Express successfully completed its maiden trial run on the Chenab Bridge in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, on January 20. The trial journey began from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and reached Srinagar’s Nowgam station at 11:30 am, marking a historic moment as the train crossed the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge. After a brief stop in Srinagar, the train continued its journey towards Budgam station. The Chenab Bridge is a pivotal component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), which is under development to enhance rail connectivity in the region.

The Vande Bharat Express has been specifically designed for the challenging climate conditions of Jammu and Kashmir. The train includes advanced systems to cope with extreme cold, such as heating mechanisms to prevent water freezing in pipes and bio-toilet tanks that function efficiently even in sub-zero temperatures. Additionally, the train is equipped with warm air circulation for optimal performance of its vacuum brake system in cold conditions. Embedded heating elements in the windshield automatically defrost the driver's lookout glass, ensuring visibility during snowstorms.

Vande Bharat Express completes historic trial run on World’s highest railway bridge in J&K | Watch

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This trial run is a significant milestone for the Katra-Srinagar rail route, which is part of the broader USBRL project. The USBRL aims to connect the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India, with a 272-kilometer stretch completed so far. Six successful trial runs have been conducted across various sections of the track, and further tests are planned to ensure safety and functionality before the official launch. The USBRL project also includes the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, which, along with the Chenab Bridge, forms one of the highest railway bridge complexes in the world.

The Chenab Bridge stands at a height of 331 meters above the riverbed, with the pylon rising 191 meters from its foundation. The bridge is 473.25 meters long and has been constructed to withstand seismic activity and extreme weather conditions. The successful operation of the Vande Bharat Express over this bridge highlights the project's engineering success in overcoming the region's difficult topography.

The Vande Bharat Express is designed for semi-high-speed travel and boasts modern amenities such as fully air-conditioned coaches, automatic plug doors, mobile charging sockets, and accessible toilets. The train can operate in temperatures as low as -30°C, making it ideal for the cold and harsh conditions of the Kashmir Valley. The train is also equipped with the Kavach safety system, which is an advanced automatic train protection technology. Once the Railway Safety Commissioner approves the project, the Katra-Srinagar rail route will be fully operational, significantly improving transportation in the region and connecting Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.