Chenab Rail Bridge – The World’s Tallest Railway Arch Bridge

Chenab Rail Bridge – The World’s Tallest Railway Arch Bridge

Why in News? 

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world’s tallest railway bridge built over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. Alongside, the Vande Bharat Express was flagged off from Katra to Srinagar, marking a new direction in regional connectivity, tourism, and development.

What is Chenab Rail Bridge – The World’s Tallest Railway Arch Bridge ?

• Introduction:
  • Chenab Rail Bridge is a steel-arch railway structure built over the Chenab River in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The Chenab Rail Bridge serves as a crucial link that will integrate the Kashmir Valley into India’s broader railway network.
  • Completion of this project has given new momentum to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the railway sector.
• Geographical Location:
  • Situated in Reasi district, the Chenab Rail Bridge stretches between Bakkal and Kauri villages, crossing the Chenab River.
  • It forms a vital part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which enhances rail connectivity from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley. 
  • Its most significant contribution is connecting Katra to Sangaldan, enabling direct rail access to Srinagar.
• Construction Journey:
  • This project was declared a Project of National Importance in 2002, but actual construction began only in 2017.
  • Initial groundwork, including base supports, was finalized in 2017, laying the foundation for the structure.
  • Subsequently, it was inaugurated on 13 August 2022, although it was not yet open for public use.
  • The bridge reached its operational milestone with a full inauguration by the Prime Minister on 6 June 2025.
• Implementation: 
  • This mega project was managed by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited on behalf of Indian Railways, with responsibility assigned by Northern Railways.
  • A multinational consortium—Afcons Infrastructure, Ultra Construction (South Korea), and VSL India—collaborated to complete the project.
  • The main design consultant was WSP Finland, while the arch design was carried out by Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner.
  • The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru provided technical assistance for evaluating the foundation’s protection and structural stability.
• Cost:
  • Approximately ₹14.86 billion (US$180 million) was invested to complete this extraordinary structure. Managing and coordinating resources at such a large scale was a significant administrative and engineering achievement.

Key Features of Chenab Rail Bridge

• Height and Length:
  • Rising 359 meters above the riverbed, the bridge now holds the distinction of being the world’s tallest railway structure.
  • This height exceeds that of the Eiffel Tower by 35 meters.
  • Spanning a total of 1,315 meters, the bridge includes a 530-meter approach segment and a 785-meter arch section.
• Structure and Design:
  • This bridge is based on a deck arch structure.
  • The main arch features a two-ribbed structure, formed from steel boxes and concrete-filled truss chords.
  • Its engineering design incorporates 17 spans, with the longest single stretch covering 467 meters.
  • The bridge has a width of 13.5 meters, capable of accommodating two railway tracks.
  • The superstructure comprises 161 girder plates, each measuring 8 meters in length and 8 mm in thickness. 
  • The main arch structure weighs 10,619 tonnes.
  • To enhance balance and load distribution, the structure is anchored by two specially built cable-supported pylons.
• Safety:
  • Engineered for resilience, the bridge can endure high seismic impacts typical of Zone-V regions.
  • It is engineered to endure earthquakes up to magnitude 8 on the Richter scale, wind speeds of 266 km/h, and temperatures as low as –20°C.
  • The structure is blast-proof and can resist explosions up to 40 tonnes of TNT, with inputs from DRDO. 
  • Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) machines were used to inspect welding joints—a first in Indian Railways.
• Durability:
  • This bridge is designed for a lifespan of 120 years. 
  • It is capable of supporting train operations at speeds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour.

Socio-Economic and Strategic Importance of Chenab Rail Bridge

• Local Development: Through the Chenab Bridge, remote areas of the Reasi district have, for the first time, been effectively connected to the railway network. This will accelerate village-to-city connectivity, farmers’ access to marketplaces, and participation in commercial activities. Now, students will find it easier to reach higher education institutions, enhancing their educational opportunities. Additionally, there will be significant improvements in access to healthcare services, daily commuting, and supply of basic necessities.
• Promotion of Tourism: This bridge will play a major role in connecting Jammu and Kashmir with domestic and international tourists. With rail connectivity, travel expenses will reduce, encouraging more visitors. Local handicrafts, cuisine, and culture will be promoted among tourists, giving new life to traditional occupations.
• National Security: From a strategic perspective, this bridge will contribute to strengthening India’s border security. The armed forces will benefit from faster mobility in the future, enabling quicker responses during emergencies. Transportation of heavy military equipment and supplies to remote posts via rail will become simpler and more cost-effective.
• National Integration: Through rail connectivity, the people of Jammu and Kashmir will become more engaged and integrated with the rest of India. In the coming time, students, workers, tourists, and traders from any part of the country will be able to reach Kashmir, increasing cultural exchange. This bridge will help reduce psychological distance and strengthen the feeling among people that they are part of the national mainstream.