Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a stunning video showcasing the magnificent Chenab railway bridge, which connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the world. “Helicopter shot – Chenab bridge,” he posted on X along with the video.
All about Indian Railways’ Chenab Rail Bridge
The Chenab Rail Bridge, a remarkable steel and concrete arch structure, carries a single-track railway line between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. Standing at an impressive height of 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the Chenab River, it holds the title of the world’s highest rail bridge and the tallest arch bridge globally.
Construction milestones began in November 2017 with the completion of the base supports, leading to the main arch’s construction. The arch was finalised in April 2021, and the entire bridge was completed by August 2022.
On February 20, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched the USBRL project, which includes the 48.1 km Banihal-Sangaldan section. Additionally, in June 2023, Indian Railways successfully conducted a trial run of an eight-coach MEMU train on this iconic bridge, paving the way for rail services between Reasi and Baramulla in Kashmir.
“After an extensive inspection of the newly constructed Chenab Bridge by senior officers from Railway Board, Northern Railway and Konkan Railway, a trial run was conducted on a 46-km-long electrified line section between Sangaldan in Ramban district and Reasi at a speed of 40 kmph,” the railways said in a statement.