The Chenab Bridge, officially the world’s highest railway bridge now, was opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Linking the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India, this engineering wonder is a testament to human resilience and determination. But its grandeur belies a tale of toughness from the engineering team, which fought harsh geographical and logistical challenges to make it a reality.
Challenges in the Construction of Chenab Bridge
One of the biggest challenges was merely reaching the construction site, which was ringed by the steep slopes of the Himalayas. As stated by Afcons Infrastructure Limited, the company that constructed the bridge, the movement of construction material and equipment proved to be a serious issue in the early days. The team used mules and horses to transport things in the early days. Temporary roads were later developed to facilitate movement to the site.
An 11-kilometre road was built on the North side of the riverbank, and another 12-kilometre road on the South side. A spokesperson for the company cited these improvised roads as playing a very important role in allowing the job to continue progressing smoothly.
Engineering Innovation and Precision
To address the unforgiving terrain and structural requirements, Afcons employed some of the most sophisticated equipment and technologies in the world. The company made use of the world’s tallest crossbar cable cranes and utilized expert heavy machinery for precise construction. Consolidation grouting was applied on the slopes of the Himalayas to stabilize the arch foundation.
One of the landmark achievements in the bridge construction was the successful application of cantilever methods to hoist the arch from both riverbanks. The company recalled a key milestone from April 2021: “A single majestic arch approaching steadily from both banks met at the crown.”
Navigating Structural Complexities
Constructing a viaduct, a bridge-like facility taking the railway across the river was another serious technical issue. The spokesperson from the company described, “There were several transition points. With this in mind, the launching sequence was carefully planned in four sections.” This thoughtful planning guaranteed the strength and security of the overall bridge structure.
Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Executive Vice Chairman of Afcons, referred to the Chenab Bridge as ‘a marvel of engineering’ and spoke of it as ‘a symbol of India’s determination to overcome most daunting challenges with ingenuity and courage’.
While, the Afcons managing director emphasized the importance of the project to the company and the nation, saying, “For Afcons, it stands as a demonstration of our unflinching commitment to nation-building and our capability to reimagine infrastructure in the most challenging environments.”He also went on to say that the bridge would ‘inspire generations of engineers about the capability of Indian engineering’.
Adding another feather to the project’s cap, an NABL-recognized laboratory, the first in the history of Indian Railways was set up to guarantee strict quality control procedures at all stages during the course of construction work.
The Chenab Bridge not only sets the world record but also signifies India’s capability in conquering the most challenging terrain through novel methods and determination.
