Katra/New Delhi, June 6 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. He was accompanied by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Before the inauguration, the Prime Minister inspected the bridge and interacted with engineers and workers involved in the project, acknowledging their efforts in turning a dream into reality. The Chenab Rail Bridge, situated 359 meters above the riverbed, stands as a remarkable feat of engineering and is the tallest arch railway bridge in the world.
The bridge is a critical part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. Spanning 1,315 meters, the semi-arch steel structure has been designed to withstand earthquakes and high winds, ensuring safe travel across challenging terrain.
With the operationalization of rail services on the bridge, travel between Jammu and Srinagar is expected to become significantly easier. The Vande Bharat train, once operational on this route, will reduce travel time between Katra and Srinagar to just three hours—cutting down the current duration by two to three hours.
As per agency report, the 272-kilometer-long USBRL project has been constructed at an approximate cost of Rs. 43,780 crore and features 36 tunnels and 943 bridges. This ambitious infrastructure endeavor ensures year-round rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and promote socio-economic integration.
