World’s highest arch bridge spearheads all-weather rail connectivity to J&K

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Chenab and Anji bridges in Jammu and Kashmir, which are major milestones in the USBRL project that will improve all-weather rail connection and economic growth in the Kashmir area.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, which stands 359 metres above the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. Along with the Chenab Bridge, he dedicated the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. Both bridges are part of the mammoth Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which aims to connect Kashmir to the rest of India via all-weather rail access.

The Chenab Bridge is an engineering marvel, constructed in the difficult Himalayan terrain of the Reasi district. It is a major component of the USBRL project, which would enable seamless train travel, including the introduction of Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar.

The architectural marvel Chenab Rail Bridge, which stands 359 metres above the river, is the world’s highest railway arch bridge. It’s a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge designed to withstand seismic and wind loads. The bridge would have a significant impact on connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. The Vande Bharat train passing across the bridge will take around 3 hours to traverse between Katra and Srinagar, cutting the current travel time by 2-3 hours.

Once operational, these bridges will transform transportation and economic activity in the region, particularly for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Their completion marks a watershed moment in Indian Railways infrastructure development, demonstrating India’s developing expertise in complicated civil engineering projects.