The media has bestowed distinct acknowledgement upon India’s remarkable engineering proficiency for the construction of the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, which is currently the world’s tallest railway bridge. The said bridge spans a height of 359 metres above the Chenab River, surpassing the height of the Eiffel Tower by 35 metres.
The Indian Ministry of Railways has announced that the bridge will open to the public in December 2023 or January 2024. This bridge is part of a larger project, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, which aims to connect the Kashmir valley to the Indian Railway network, including a transportation tunnel and cable bridge.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sees this project as a means to enhance social integration and political influence by linking various regions to major cities. The construction of the Chenab Rail Bridge is a significant achievement for India’s infrastructure development, and it is expected to bring new opportunities for the region’s growth and progress.
CNN reported that the construction of the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, as part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project, will have significant benefits for the region’s industrial and agricultural sectors by providing all-weather rail connectivity between Kashmir Valley and the rest of India.
Previously, the only land route connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country was the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which is often closed in winter and prone to accidents. Completing the bridge will reduce travel time and boost the industry, agriculture, and fruit in the region. The bridge also has political implications as it is seen as a means of integrating Kashmir into India.
The arch closure of the Chenab Rail Bridge, completed by the Indian Railways on April 5, 2021, is a major milestone in the project, which faces significant engineering challenges due to the difficult terrain. The bridge is designed to withstand high wind speeds, earthquake forces, and blast loads and will remain operational even if one pier or trestle is removed.
The bridge’s construction is a major achievement for Indian Railways, and the use of sophisticated software and steel suitable for extreme temperatures demonstrates the country’s engineering prowess.
