Jammu & Kashmir is set to receive a new Vande Bharat Express train along the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, as confirmed by Indian Railways reports. This eight-car electric train marks a significant milestone as it becomes the first of its kind allocated to the Union Territory. The Northern Railway recently completed a successful 15-kilometer trial run of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) between Banihal and Khari railway stations in Ramban district.
The USBRL project holds national importance, connecting Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of the country. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier announced plans for the USBRL's completion by December 2023 or January 2024. Once operational, a Vande Bharat metro train will run between Jammu and Srinagar.
During a significant event on March 26, Vaishnaw embarked on the inaugural journey of a track-mounted trolley on the world's highest arch bridge over the Chenab River. Accompanied by railway officials, he conducted religious ceremonies before inspecting the iconic bridge, towering at a height of 359 meters above the Chenab riverbed.
Furthermore, the minister unveiled plans for a specialized training academy for engineers in Jammu and a maintenance facility for Vande Bharat Express trains in Budgam, located in the Kashmir Valley.
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project stretches over 272 kilometers, bridging Udhampur to Baramulla and connecting the Kashmir Valley with the broader Indian Railways network under the USBRL initiative.
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