Railways Conducts Loaded Train Trial Run on Anji Khad Bridge

J&K (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways recently conducted a successful first-loaded train trial run on the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, located in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. 

This development is a crucial step in linking the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country by rail. Services on this vital connection are anticipated to begin in January 2025.

This development was shared by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw through a video of the trial run on the social media platform X on 28 December 2024.

The Ministry of Railways mentioned “The trial run on the Anji Khad Bridge, a key component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, has been successfully completed.”

Key Features of the Anji Khad Bridge

1. Engineering Marvel: The Anji Khad Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.
2. Pylon Design: The bridge features a single pylon rising to a height of 331 meters above the riverbed.
3. Cable Support: It is supported by 48 cables, providing stability to its lateral and central spans.
4. Total Length: The bridge spans a total length of 473.25 meters.
5. Viaduct and Embankment: The structure includes a 120-meter viaduct and a central embankment measuring 94.25 meters.
6. Second-Highest Railway Bridge: The Anji Khad Bridge is the second-highest railway bridge in India, following the Chenab Bridge, which holds the world record at 359 meters above the riverbed. Both bridges are part of the USBRL project.

USBRL Project Overview

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project establishes connectivity between the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India through a broad-gauge railway line. The project covers a total distance of 272 kilometres of which 255 kilometres of the project has been completed. The remaining stretch between Katra and Reasi is expected to be completed by December 2024.

Key Highlights

1. Structural Details:
   • The project includes 38 tunnels, of which 12.75-kilometre long Tunnel T-49 on the Khari-Sumber section, is set to be the longest railway tunnel in India.
   • It also incorporates major bridges such as the Chenab Bridge and the Anji Khad Bridge.
2. Travel Time Reduction:
   • The project will reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar from approximately 12 hours to 6 hours.
3. Cost:
   • The construction cost of the project is estimated at ₹ 37,012 crore.