PM Modi Inaugurates World’s Highest Railway Bridge Over Chenab River: A Historic Milestone for Jammu & Kashmir

In a landmark achievement for India’s infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Chenab Railway Bridge, officially recognized as the world’s highest railway arch bridge. Standing at an impressive 359 meters above the Chenab River, this engineering marvel surpasses the height of the Eiffel Tower and is a pivotal component of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

🏗️ Engineering Excellence: Chenab Railway Bridge

• Height: 359 meters above the riverbed
• Length: 1,315 meters
• Design: Double-line, single-arch bridge
• Material: Constructed using over 27,000 tonnes of steel
• Safety Features: Earthquake-resistant up to magnitude 8 on the Richter scale; designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 260 km/h and temperatures ranging from -10°C to 40°C
• Expected Lifespan: Approximately 120 years.
• Strategic Importance: Enhances connectivity and defense logistics in the region

🚄 USBRL Project: Connecting Kashmir to the National Rail Network

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, Chenab Railway Bridge inauguration today, is set to revolutionize rail connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir. The  Kashmir Valley rail link key highlights include:

• Total Length: 272 kilometers (world’s highest railway arch bridge)
• Infrastructure: 36 tunnels covering 119 kilometers and 943 bridges
• Investment: Approximately ₹46,000 crore
• Objective: Provide all-weather rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, fostering regional development and economic integration

🚅 Vande Bharat Express: Modernizing Rail Travel

In conjunction with the USBRL inauguration, PM Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, offering fast, comfortable, and reliable travel options for residents, tourists, and pilgrims alike.

🕰️ A Vision Realized: Decades in the Making

The concept of connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India by rail dates back to the 1970s. The Chenab Railway Bridge inauguration project was formally sanctioned in 1994 and gained momentum in the early 2000s. After years of planning and construction, the inauguration today marks the culmination of a decades-long effort to integrate the region into the national rail network.