In a remarkable achievement for Indian Railways, the first trial run of the Sangaldan-Reasi train was successfully completed, marking the historic crossing of the Chenab Bridge, the world’s tallest railway bridge. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced this significant milestone on Sunday, stating, “1st trial train has successfully run from Sangaldan to Reasi, including crossing the Chenab Bridge.”
The Chenab Bridge, a structural marvel built across a gorge in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, stands 359 meters (around 1,178 feet) above the Chenab River, making it taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This engineering feat is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, which is nearing completion, bringing the dream of connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India’s railway network closer to reality.
“All construction works for the USBRL are nearly finished, with tunnel No.1 remaining partially incomplete,” Vaishnaw added. The bridge’s construction is a testament to India’s engineering prowess and determination to enhance connectivity in challenging terrains.
The USBRL Project aims to provide a seamless railway link to the Kashmir Valley, significantly boosting the region’s accessibility and economic development. The successful trial run on the Chenab Bridge is a crucial step toward achieving this goal.
In addition to the Chenab Bridge milestone, the Ministry of Railways recently made it into the Limca Book of Records for organizing the largest public-service event across multiple venues. On February 26, 2024, an event attended by over 40 million people at 2,140 venues was held for the inauguration of road over/road under railway bridges and laying foundation stones for railway stations, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi officiating.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, who has been reappointed as the Minister of Railways, continues to lead transformative projects under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. Vaishnaw, who also oversees the portfolios of Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology, has been instrumental in modernizing India’s railway infrastructure.
On Friday, Vaishnaw announced that India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper trains would be operational within two months. “The completion work of the trainset of the Vande Bharat sleeper train is in full swing, and the first train will be on track within two months. All technical works are in the last phase,” he said. Manufactured by BEML Ltd in Bangalore, the Vande Bharat sleeper trains are designed for high-speed travel at up to 200 km/h, providing a premium alternative to the current Rajdhani Express for long-distance journeys.
“The car body structure is crafted with high-grade austenitic stainless steel, featuring crashworthy elements integrated into the crash buffers and couplers. Complying with stringent safety standards, all materials and aggregates in the trainset adhere to the Fire standard requirements as per EN45545 HL3 grade,” Vaishnaw explained.
The Vande Bharat sleeper trains prioritize both aesthetic appeal and functionality, with meticulously designed interiors, sleeper berths, and exteriors. “From the front nose cone to interior panels, seats and berths, interior lights, couplers, gangways, and beyond, every element is meticulously designed to meet the exacting standards of the sleeper trainset,” Vaishnaw noted.
India’s first semi-high-speed, indigenously built Vande Bharat trains have revolutionized passenger travel. Following their success, Indian Railways is now poised to introduce the Vande Bharat sleeper trains, further enhancing the travel experience for long-distance passengers.
The successful trial run of the Sangaldan-Reasi train over the Chenab Bridge and the imminent launch of Vande Bharat sleeper trains underscore Indian Railways’ commitment to innovation, safety, and passenger comfort, heralding a new era of rail travel in the country.
Sources By Agencies
