Vande Bharat Train Completes Trial Run on Chenab Bridge, World’s Highest Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, January 25: Indian Railways marked a historical milestone on Saturday when the Vande Bharat Train completed its trial run. The train has crossed the world’s highest railway bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, an initiative designed to transform rail connectivity in the region by bridging the harshest weather conditions to the challenging terrain and making Kashmir accessible from other parts of the country.

The train came in an orange-and-grey splash, which took its maiden run successfully from Jammu’s Katra to Srinagar station situated in the Nowgam area of Srinagar. The Nowgam area received huge crowds for the celebration at Srinagar station in addition to several railway officials along with the natives of the area holding garlands with the slogan cheers for Indian Railways.

Unlike the 136 other Vande Bharat trains running across India, this train has features suited to the extreme climate of Jammu and Kashmir. It includes advance heating systems for preventing water from freezing in the pipes and in the bio-toilet tanks; embedded heating elements in windshields for clear vision during snow.

The train has been specifically designed to withstand sub-zero temperatures and snowy weather, making it ideal for the mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Saqib Yousuf, Chief Area Manager, Northern Railway, Srinagar.

Besides, the train is fitted with fully air-conditioned coaches, automatic plug doors, and mobile charging sockets for passenger comfort and convenience.

The trial run is part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which last month completed its 272-km stretch. The project features engineering marvels such as the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge at 359m above the river bed, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.

The Anji Khad Bridge has a single pylon rising 33m above the riverbed, and the Chenab Bridge towers 35m higher than the Eiffel Tower, connecting the region through innovative design.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hailed the occasion as a “dream come true.” “This historic trial run reflects our Prime Minister’s vision of connecting Kashmir with the rest of India,” he said.

After a decade of relentless effort, the train has finally passed the test and is all set to be officially launched. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, might flag off the Vande Bharat Express from Katra soon, whose date has yet to be announced.

The trial run is not only a technical success but also a step toward integrating Kashmir with India’s strong rail network. With advanced features and passenger comfort at its core, the Vande Bharat Express promises to connect the region even better and further boost tourism.

The train is ready to begin its maiden journey, representing progress, resilience, and India’s engineering prowess as it bridges geographical barriers and brings Kashmir closer to the nation’s heart.