Anji Khad Bridge: Railways completes trial run on India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge in Jammu & Kashmir

Anji Khad Bridge (Image Credit: X.com)

The Indian Railways has successfully conducted the trial run of a tower wagon on the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. This achievement is a significant milestone in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, which aims to connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country. The trial run paves the way for the anticipated launch of rail services to Kashmir in January 2025.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of the successful trial on social media platform X, highlighting the engineering marvel. The Railway Ministry issued a statement declaring the trial a step forward in enhancing connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir. "The trial run of a tower wagon on India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, was successfully completed as part of the USBRL project," the ministry said.

Watch the video here

1st electric engine rolling through Tunnel No. 1 and the Anji Khad Cable Bridge.J&K pic.twitter.com/YOjkeJmDva
Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) December 25, 2024

The Anji Khad Bridge, an engineering masterpiece, stands tall with a single pylon rising 331 meters above the riverbed. Described as a "true engineering marvel," the bridge is supported by 48 cables on its lateral and central spans. Construction of the pylon began in 2017, and the structure reaches 191 meters above its foundation level. With a total length of 473.25 meters, the bridge features a 120-meter viaduct and a 94.25-meter central embankment.

This bridge is the second-highest railway bridge in India, after the world-famous Chenab Rail Bridge, which stands 359 meters above the riverbed and is 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower.

Part of the USBRL Project

The USBRL project is a flagship initiative by Indian Railways aimed at enhancing rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India. Once operational, it will significantly boost tourism, trade, and socio-economic development in the region. Of the total 272-kilometer stretch, 255 kilometers have been completed, with the remaining section between Katra and Reasi expected to be finished by December 2024.

Vande Bharat Train to Connect Kashmir

Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh, announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the Vande Bharat Express connecting Kashmir to New Delhi on this route in January 2025. This high-speed train is expected to revolutionize travel between the region and the rest of the country, marking a historic moment for Indian Railways and Jammu & Kashmir.