The long awaited train service to Katra, the base camp of famous Vaishno Devi shrine, in Jammu and Kashmir has 29 minor bridges, nine major bridges including an 85 metre high and 154 metre single span steel girdle-bridge, the first of its kind in India.
![An Indian railway employee walks at the railway track before the trial run of Udhampur-Katra train. Jaipal Singh / EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4EXTRBZE2LMMBGNCGJRZIDAPKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc0deb2b4ecbe3c98950c837df639b5e92530c13a666efb6c94913dcf2f9b82a&width=400&height=225)
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![A train runs through Jajjhar Khad area during a trial run of Udhampur-Katra train. More than 10 million devotees pay obeisance every year at the shrine. Currently it is only linked by roadways. With the inauguration of Udhampur-Katra rail link, pilgrims will be able to travel directly to Katra giving a boost to local economy and providing comfortable transport facility to visiting pilgrims. Jaipal Singh / EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZQNHOJ4N4M3F7EH3YN56SOTIGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6a6931d71db1e278debd4d57ab1f5f56fa58c5b2fb183c687af47c01ae92ce90&width=400&height=225)
![A train runs through Jajjhar Khad area during a trial run of Udhampur–Katra train. Jaipal Singh / EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RECZUZCBMSTCHTVX3PUZ6CKQXA.jpg?smart=true&auth=27879cfdb6bf001240d228e2d8c47ad62ed1c906e041e0b6ac4865ff1c44c1d7&width=400&height=225)
![An Indian railway employee (right), keeps a watch as a train running through Jajjhar Khad area. Jaipal Singh / EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZQ7BBLCMCJ7WMYM7XN5VNTWAVM.jpg?smart=true&auth=554d7a9ede101349590df89fea4f1326e1f7e5cf574be39faf3b463f6eca7c03&width=400&height=225)
![Villagers watch a train running through Jajjhar Khad area. Jaipal Singh / EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UKER3Q6MDGIFRG6JHPIXPFHB54.jpg?smart=true&auth=296540468ad97c8b5cf5fbbe7c03f4c170bb79e944b451f0c76504c71e74549a&width=400&height=225)
![An Indian railway employee walks at the railway track before the trial run of Udhampur-Katra train. Jaipal Singh / EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4EXTRBZE2LMMBGNCGJRZIDAPKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc0deb2b4ecbe3c98950c837df639b5e92530c13a666efb6c94913dcf2f9b82a&width=400&height=225)
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![A train runs through Jajjhar Khad area during a trial run of Udhampur-Katra train. More than 10 million devotees pay obeisance every year at the shrine. Currently it is only linked by roadways. With the inauguration of Udhampur-Katra rail link, pilgrims will be able to travel directly to Katra giving a boost to local economy and providing comfortable transport facility to visiting pilgrims. Jaipal Singh / EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZQNHOJ4N4M3F7EH3YN56SOTIGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6a6931d71db1e278debd4d57ab1f5f56fa58c5b2fb183c687af47c01ae92ce90&width=400&height=225)
![A train runs through Jajjhar Khad area during a trial run of Udhampur–Katra train. Jaipal Singh / EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RECZUZCBMSTCHTVX3PUZ6CKQXA.jpg?smart=true&auth=27879cfdb6bf001240d228e2d8c47ad62ed1c906e041e0b6ac4865ff1c44c1d7&width=400&height=225)
![An Indian railway employee (right), keeps a watch as a train running through Jajjhar Khad area. Jaipal Singh / EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZQ7BBLCMCJ7WMYM7XN5VNTWAVM.jpg?smart=true&auth=554d7a9ede101349590df89fea4f1326e1f7e5cf574be39faf3b463f6eca7c03&width=400&height=225)
![Villagers watch a train running through Jajjhar Khad area. Jaipal Singh / EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UKER3Q6MDGIFRG6JHPIXPFHB54.jpg?smart=true&auth=296540468ad97c8b5cf5fbbe7c03f4c170bb79e944b451f0c76504c71e74549a&width=400&height=225)
![An Indian railway employee walks at the railway track before the trial run of Udhampur-Katra train. Jaipal Singh / EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4EXTRBZE2LMMBGNCGJRZIDAPKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc0deb2b4ecbe3c98950c837df639b5e92530c13a666efb6c94913dcf2f9b82a&width=400&height=225)
In pictures: Trial run of India’s Udhampur-Katra train
Olive Obina
June 14, 2014
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