REASI, INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR – In a landmark feat of engineering and national integration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Chenab Bridge, now officially the world’s highest single-arch railway bridge, towering 359 meters (1,178 ft) above the Chenab River gorge in Kashmir.
Engineering the
Impossible
Record-Breaking
Height: Soaring 35
meters taller than the Eiffel Tower, the bridge’s single continuous arch
spans 467 meters between Himalayan cliffs.
20-Year Odyssey: Overcoming extreme terrain, avalanches, and seismic
risks, Indian Railways began construction in 2002.
All-Weather Lifeline: Part of the ₹35,000-crore
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link (USBRL), enabling year-round connectivity
despite Kashmir’s harsh winters.
"This
isn’t just steel and concrete – it’s a bridge to Kashmir’s future," declared PM Modi. For the first time
in history, the Kashmir Valley will be linked to India’s vast railway network,
slashing travel time from Jammu to Srinagar from 12+ hours to under 4 hours.
Strategic &
Economic Impact
Tourism Surge: Unlocks remote Himalayan destinations
like Sangaldan and Reasi.
Supply Chain
Revolution: Faster
movement of agriculture, handicrafts, and pharmaceuticals.
Security Boost: Enhances rapid troop and logistics
movement in sensitive regions.
|
Metric |
Detail |
|
Height |
359 m (1,178 ft) |
|
Arch Span |
467 m (1,532 ft) |
|
Rail Line |
272 km (169
miles) |
|
Steel Used |
28,000+ tonnes
(blast-resistant) |
|
Cost |
₹1,486 crore
(bridge alone) |
The Chenab Bridge
anchors the final leg of the USBRL project, set for full completion in 2026.
With 16 tunnels and 131 bridges already operational, engineers are now racing
to conquer the treacherous Pir Panjal range.
More than a
transit route, this crimson-orange colossus is a symbol of India’s resolve to
unite its most challenging frontiers. As the first train prepares to cross the
Chenab this year, Kashmir stands on the brink of a connectivity revolution.
"Mountains
that divided us will now connect us."
– Indian Railways Chief Engineer, USBRL Project