PM Modi set to Inaugurate Chenab Bridge, Completing Historic Kashmir Rail Link
A decades-long national endeavor to connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India via an all-weather rail network culminates today, Friday, June 6th, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate two engineering marvels: the Chenab Railway Bridge, now the world's highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge. This landmark occasion signifies the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
Engineering Feats Overcome Challenging Terrain
The Chenab Railway Bridge, soaring 359 metres above the riverbed—surpassing the Eiffel Tower in height—is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch structure. It has been engineered with exceptional resilience to withstand extreme seismic activity (located in a high-risk zone) and wind speeds of up to 266 km/h. Notably, it incorporates blast-resistant steel and concrete, a first for Indian Railways, highlighting its strategic and security considerations. Alongside this, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Anji Khad Bridge, another critical component of the USBRL.
USBRL Project: A New Era of Connectivity
The inauguration of these bridges effectively dedicates the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project to the nation. Built at an approximate cost of ₹43,780 crore, the USBRL includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges. This project is hailed as one of the most ambitious railway undertakings in independent India, designed to provide seamless, all-weather rail connectivity, which is expected to significantly boost regional mobility, tourism, and socio-economic integration. As part of the launch, Prime Minister Modi will also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains, which will operate between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, offering a modern and reliable travel option for residents, pilgrims, and tourists.
The concept of this vital rail link was first envisioned in the 1970s, formally sanctioned in 1994, with substantive work commencing in 2002 under the government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The inauguration of the Chenab and Anji bridges and the full commissioning of the USBRL project represent a monumental achievement in Indian infrastructure. This enhanced connectivity is poised to transform the socio-economic landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, fulfilling a long-held national aspiration for seamless integration with the rest of the country.
Picture source: nawaiduggar.com
