The dream of running a train on the world's highest railway arch bridge is nearing completion. Trains are expected to run on the world's highest arch rail bridge over the Chenab River from August 15. Preparations are being completed for this. All the trials of the train so far on this bridge have been successful. In such a situation, the wait to go to Kashmir by train seems to be decreasing. However, the official date is awaited.
Preparations done at new railway station
Preparations have been done at the newly built railway station in Reasi. Now just waiting for the green signal from the Railway Ministry. Hopefully an announcement can be made soon. With the launch of this service, passengers will be able to travel from Reasi to Baramulla in Kashmir. Preparations in this regard are almost complete. This project is part of the strategically important Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Project. Most of it has been completed.
Able to withstand earthquake and wind pressure
This bridge is a unique example of engineering. It has been made capable of withstanding wind speeds of 260 kilometres per hour. It can withstand earthquakes of even the highest intensity.
Train operation starts till Sangaldan station
Train operation has started from Baramulla to Sangaldan station of Ramban district of Jammu division via Sriganar. Last month, a train with 8 coaches at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour was successfully tested between Sangaldan to Reasi in Banihal of Jammu division. All the trials took place in the presence of Railway Safety Commissioner Dinesh Chand Deshwal.
After that, work is going on at a distance of 17 kilometres between Katra and Reasi. Most of the work on this part has been completed. This year itself, Kashmir Railways will be completely connected to the country. The train service is expected to promote social integration by facilitating easy movement of people and goods.
The journey will be of three and a half hours
Till now there was no direct railway connectivity from Jammu to Srinagar. To go to Srinagar, people had to go by air or by road. The 248 km long journey from Jammu to Kashmir by road on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is taking 6-7 hours, but in Vande Bharat train this journey will be only 3 and a half hours. People can reach Kashmir by air route in just 50 minutes. There are around 66 domestic flights from across the country to reach Srinagar. People will now get relief from expensive travel also.
It's still taking so much time
Road distance from Jammu to Srinagar – 248 kilometers
Travel time from Jammu to Srinagar – 7 hours 21 minutes
Air distance from Jammu to Srinagar – 150 km
Travel time by flight from Jammu to Srinagar – 50 minutes
This project is important
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project is important from strategic point of view. Rail connectivity from Banihal to Baramulla via Srinagar has already been completed and trains are also running. It was not easy to reach Banihal by rail from Katra. It is a high mountainous region and there are mountains and rivers and streams all along the way.
Features of the world's highest arch bridge
It is 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower
The length of the bridge built on Chenab river is 1315 meters.
The width of the arch of the bridge is 467 meters and the height of the bridge from the river bed is 359 meters.
Ready in 20 years