Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the much-anticipated Chenab Bridge on June 6 in Jammu and Kashmir, a project hailed as a symbol of ‘Naya Kashmir’ and an engineering marvel. Located in the Reasi district, this bridge is a part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project aimed at transforming connectivity across the Union Territory.
Designed in Europe, Built by India
The Chenab Bridge, now the world’s highest railway arch bridge, was conceptualized by Finland-based WSP in collaboration with German and Austrian firms. Indian engineers from Konkan Railway Corporation executed the project, which has taken years and meticulous planning.
Spanning 1,315 metres in length and rising 359 metres above the Chenab River—that’s 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower—the bridge is a global engineering achievement.
Built to Withstand Quakes and Terror Blasts
The bridge has been designed to endure severe natural and man-made shocks. Experts from IIT Roorkee guided structural stability, ensuring the bridge can survive earthquakes of up to 8.0 on the Richter scale. It is also equipped to tolerate blast forces equivalent to 40 kg of TNT, thanks to 63 mm-thick blast-resistant steel.
Chief Engineer R K Hegde of Konkan Railways said, “It can withstand high-intensity blasts of up to 40 kg of TNT and an earthquake. Even after the blast, a train can run at a speed on 30 kmh.”
Smart Engineering for the Long Haul
The Chenab Bridge includes self-compacting concrete, spherical bearings for quake isolation, and corrosion-resistant paint that gives it a projected lifespan of 120 years. It also features an online safety monitoring system that offers real-time alerts.
Tekla software was used for 3D modeling during the construction phase, enhancing precision and reducing errors in steel and concrete structures.
Years in the Making
Construction began in 2004 but was delayed due to alignment and safety concerns. The pace picked up after revisions in 2010. The steel arch was connected in 2021, and the full deck was completed in August 2022.
In June 2023, a MEMU train trial run successfully crossed the bridge, passing through nine tunnels, including the 11.13-km-long Tunnel T-44, setting the stage for its official inauguration.
