Jammu & Kashmir (National Times): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the world’s tallest railway bridge, the Chenab Rail Bridge, a colossal structure rising 359 metres above the riverbed, surpassing the Eiffel Tower by 35 metres. Constructed at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore over more than eight years, the bridge is a key part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project aimed at enhancing connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.
The engineering marvel was built using 28,660 megatonnes of steel and is designed to withstand extreme weather, earthquakes, and other natural calamities. Notably, it is equipped with advanced safety systems that allow trains to operate at reduced speeds even in the event of damage to one of its supporting piers.
In addition to the Chenab Bridge, PM Modi also inaugurated India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge. Perched 331 metres above the Anji River, the 725-metre-long structure is supported by 96 high-tensile cables and features an iconic inverted Y-shaped pylon standing 193 metres tall. Completed in just 11 months, it involved 653 kilometres of cable strands and is hailed as a major engineering feat.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi toured a special viewpoint near the Chenab bridge and was briefed on the technical and logistical challenges overcome during construction. He also interacted with engineers and workers at the site and visited a railway museum dedicated to the ambitious rail link project.
The day also marked another landmark achievement as PM Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat trains, signalling the completion of the long-awaited Udhampur-Baramulla-Srinagar railway corridor.
Speaking at the event, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha called the occasion “a momentous day that will go down in history,” highlighting the transformative impact these infrastructure projects will have on the region’s economy and mobility.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were among the dignitaries present at the event.
