In a major milestone for Indian Railways, the first loaded train trial run was successfully conducted on the Anji Khad Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. This cable-stayed rail bridge, the first of its kind in India, is a key part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, which aims to connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country by rail.
The successful trial was announced by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw via a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) on December 28, 2024. Train services across this section are expected to begin in January 2025.
Key Features of Anji Khad Bridge:
- Engineering First: India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge.
- Pylon Design: Features a single pylon rising 331 meters above the riverbed.
- Cable System: Supported by 48 cables for enhanced stability.
- Length: Spans a total of 473.25 meters.
- Structure: Includes a 120-meter viaduct and a 94.25-meter central embankment.
- Elevation Rank: Second-highest railway bridge in India after the Chenab Bridge.
Part of the ambitious USBRL project, the Anji Khad Bridge is another feat of modern railway engineering, enhancing regional connectivity and national integration.
