Chenab Bridge the World’s Highest Railway Bridge In India’s J&K

The world's highest railway bridge, spanning the Chenab River in India's union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, is nearing completion. The Chenab Bridge stands at an impressive height of 359 meters above the riverbed, making it nearly 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

After decades of construction, the Indian Railways plans to make this engineering marvel operational by December 2023 or January 2024, as confirmed by the Ministry of Railways. This remarkable bridge is an integral part of the 272-kilometer Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link (UBSRL) project, which aims to play a pivotal role in connecting the Kashmir valley with Jammu and, consequently, linking it to the Indian mainland. The overall UBSRL project comprises 38 tunnels and 931 bridges, with a combined length of 13 kilometers.

Reports indicate that the bridge, situated between Bakkal and Kauri villages in the Reasi district of the state, is engineered to withstand wind speeds of up to 266 kilometers per hour. Located in a seismically active zone, it has the capacity to withstand earthquakes measuring up to 8 on the Richter scale. Constructed using blast-proof steel, the bridge is designed to have a lifespan of 120 years, and trains will be able to traverse it at speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour.

Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, who inspected the bridge in March, also unveiled plans to establish a Vande Bharat train maintenance depot at Badgaon to facilitate the operation of Vande Metro rake services between Jammu and Srinagar.

The construction of this bridge, arguably the most formidable engineering challenge undertaken by the Railways since India's independence in 1947, has consumed a staggering 28,000 tonnes of steel and incurred a cost of INR 1,400 crores (USD 171,403,234) to the exchequer.

Upon becoming operational, the USBRL project will provide all-weather rail connectivity to Kashmir, which previously relied solely on National Highway 44 as its land link to the rest of India. This project is expected to not only boost tourism but also stimulate growth in other sectors, including industry and agriculture.

Another significant component of the USBRL project is the Anji Khad Bridge, which, in conjunction with the Chenab Bridge, plays a crucial role in enhancing connectivity to Kashmir. The Anji Khad Bridge is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, completed in just eleven months. It consists of 96 cables with a total length of cable strands spanning 653 kilometers. The successful completion of this project was shared by Vishnaw in an April 28 tweet, which included a time-lapse video showcasing the construction of the Anji Khad bridge.

Northern Railways Chief Public Relations Officer Deepak Kumar hailed this achievement, stating, "History was created when India's first cable-stayed rail bridge came up over Anji Khad in Reasi." He further disclosed that the launch of the superstructure is scheduled for May.