PM Modi set to inaugurate world's tallest bridge over Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi (India) June 5: On June 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially inaugurate the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a major milestone in India's railway infrastructure. This inauguration represents a significant advancement in regional train connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. 

India's premier semi-high-speed rail, the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, will also be introduced at the bridge's inauguration. The most popular tourist spots in Jammu and Kashmir, including Katra and Srinagar, will be connected to the rest of the nation by this train.

An official statement from the Ministry of Railways said, “This is a historic day not just for Jammu and Kashmir, but for the entire nation. It proves that no goal is too distant when the vision is clear and the commitment is unwavering.”

An official statement from the PMO said, “A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. Through the Vande Bharat train moving on the bridge, it will take just about 3 hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing existing travel time by 2-3 hours.”

The construction of an all-season railway bridge ensures that it can withstand severe weather and geological conditions, including earthquakes and strong winds of upto 266 km/h. The bridge is intended to last for more than 120 years.

The bridge is an essential part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. It will significantly reduce the duration of the Vande Bharat trains' journey between Katra and Srinagar to three hours.

It is the tallest railway arch bridge in the world. The bridge is higher than the Eiffel Tower, rising 359 meters above the Chenab River. It is 1,315 meters long and is meant to be a steel arch bridge.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also inaugurate the Anji Khad Bridge. The Anji Khad Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. It will cross the Anji River and is also a part of the USBRL project. 

With the construction of this bridge, the Katra-Banihal part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla train Line will have continuous train access to the Kashmir Valley.

In a post on X, Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would officially open the Chenab Bridge on June 6 and described it as "history in the making." 

The Chenab Bridge's April inauguration was previously postponed because of bad weather.

Aadrika Tayal