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NEW DELHI: Indian Railways operated the first trial train from Sangaldan to Reasi, including on the world's highest rail bridge built on Chenab river in J&K, on Sunday. With this rail link, travel between the Valley and the rest of the country is set to become a reality in the next 4-5 months, officials said.

Reasi was recently in the news because of a terror attack that claimed nine lives. The railways also achieved this feat days before PM Narendra Modi visits Srinagar to celebrate International Yoga Day.

In a social media post, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "First trial train has successfully run from Sangaldan to Reasi, including crossing the Chenab bridge. All construction work for the USBRL are nearly finished, with only tunnel No.1 remaining partially incomplete."

Railway officials said the Commissioner of Railways Safety (CRS) is scheduled to conduct a two-day inspection later this month on the Sangaldan-Reasi section. The Udhampur- Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project spans 272 km and 209 km has been commissioned in phases.

The project is significant because of the Chenab rail bridge, which has been constructed 359 metres (around 109 feet) above the Chenab river and it is 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower.

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