In another engineering marvel, Indian Railways on Saturday conducted the first trial run of Vande Bharat Express on the Chenab bridge and the Anji khad bridge. The train, on its maiden trial run, arrived at Srinagar station in the Nowgam area on the city's outskirts from Katra in Jammu.
Over the past month, the Indian Railways conducted six trial runs on various sections of the track, including crucial milestones such as the country's first cable-stayed rail bridge -- the Anji Khad bridge -- and the arch bridge over the Chenab river in Kauri.
The Anji Khad bridge -- a critical part of the USBRL project -- is an engineering marvel, featuring a single pylon rising 331 metres above the river bed. The pylon, which took several years to complete, now rises 191 metres above its foundation level.
With a total length of 473.25 metres, the Anji Khad bridge is one of the two highest railway bridges in the world, alongside the Chenab bridge -- which holds the title of the world's highest railway bridge at 359 metres above the river bed, 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
According to rail officials, the Railway Board, on June 8 last year, unveiled a Vande Bharat Express train specially designed to operate in Jammu and Kashmir's challenging winter conditions for the Katra-Srinagar route. The train incorporates special climate-related features.
Compared to the other 136 Vande Bharat trains running in different parts of the country, this train has several additional features to meet operational challenges and passengers' needs in Jammu and Kashmir's extreme weather conditions.
It includes advanced heating systems that prevent the freezing of water in pipes and bio-toilet tanks, provide warm air for the vacuum system and ensure optimal functioning of the air-brake system for smooth operations, even in sub-zero temperatures.
The train also features embedded heating elements in the windshield to automatically defrost the driver's front lookout glass, ensuring clear visibility in harsh winter conditions.
Additionally, it features all other amenities of the existing Vande Bharat trains -- fully air-conditioned coaches, automatic plug doors and mobile charging sockets, among others.
Northern Railway's Chief Area Manager (Srinagar) Saqib Yousuf said the trial run's completion marked a historic moment.
"The train has been provided to run especially through the mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir and made to withstand sub-zero temperatures and snowy conditions," Yousuf said.
"It has heating units to withstand sub-zero temperatures, heating pads to avoid the freezing of water in pipes and tanks, and an ambient temperature control system in the driver's cab. All these facilities have been designed to deal with the snowy and cold conditions," he added.
*With Agency Inputs
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