The world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River is almost ready for its big moment. This bridge is part of the exciting Jammu Kashmir Rail Link project and marks a significant step towards enhancing connectivity in the region.
Prime Minister Modi is set to inaugurate the bridge by flagging off the Vande Bharat train from Jammu to Srinagar via Katra. Last Tuesday, officials conducted the trial run for this special train on the Katra-Sangaldan section. On the inauguration day, the Prime Minister will ride on this Vande Bharat train, symbolizing a new era for train services in Kashmir.
What makes this railway connection unique is the robust security measures in place along the route. Officials mention that the area is crucial for tourism and religious travel, making safety a top priority.
Two trains will operate on inauguration day, one from Srinagar to Katra and the other returning. The Railway has carried out extensive trials—eight in total—over the past three months, ensuring everything is ready. Notably, this includes testing India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge and the stunning arch bridge over the Chenab.
This engineering marvel stretches 1,315 meters across the Chenab River and features a main span of 467 meters. It is designed to withstand winds up to 266 km/h. Impressively, it is taller than the Eiffel Tower and nearly five times higher than the Qutub Minar.
The construction of the bridge took over 28,000 metric tons of steel and introduced an innovative cable crane system. This unique method helped transport materials across a 915-meter-wide gorge, utilizing two massive cable cars and towering pylons standing 100 meters high.
Overall, this bridge is part of the larger Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. This project aims to connect the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India via a reliable and all-weather rail route. As of now, the USBRL project has seen phases of completion since 2009, with the last stretch finishing in December 2024.
Also of note is that public interest in this project has grown through social media platforms. Many users express excitement not just for the historical significance of the bridge but also for its potential impact on tourism and local economies.
For more information on the USBRL project and its significance, you can read detailed articles from sources like The Hindu, which provide extensive coverage on developments in Indian infrastructure.
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Source linkVande Bharat Express train, Katra, Udhampur, Jammu – Srinagar, Chenab River, Special Vande Bharat train trial successfully conducted on Katra Sangaldan section, News, Business News, Zee Business
