World’s Highest Railway Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir - Chenab Bridge

Just two days before India’s 76th Independence Day, the world’s highest rail bridge over the Chenab River in the Kouri area of Reasi district, achieved another milestone when the overarch deck of the bridge was completed with a golden joint.

The term ‘golden joint’ was coined by the civil engineers who worked on connecting the two ends of the deck of the bridge.

This railway line has high strategic importance for India’s defense against foreign powers. Chenab bridge has been a part of this project and will lift Indian trains at a height of 358 meters. Our very own eligible train will give you a feeling of air travel as the trains will cruise through the clouds. Kashmir the crown of India is now hosting one of the most precious jewels that India has.

More about the Railway Bridge

The project is part of the ambitious 272-km long railway line from Udhampur to Baramulla joining Jammu with the Kashmir valley as an all-weather high-speed alternative, named the 'Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project'.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 1,250 crore, the 1.3-km-long bridge is 359 meters above the Chenab riverbed and is 30 meters higher than Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The bridge with the main arch span of 467 meters and steel fabrication of approximately 28,660 MT has been designed to withstand wind up to 100 kmph.

Its other unique features include the use of concrete-filled trusses and power-operated cars for inspection and maintenance for the first time in India and is designed to bear earthquake forces of zone V.

Significance

At present, Kashmir has only truncated the railway line between Ramban district’s Banihal areas of Jammu province to Baramulla in the Valley.

It will provide all-weather rail connectivity to Kashmir.

River Chenab

• Chenab River is one of the major rivers in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Chenab is born through the confluence of two streams, namely the Chandra and Bhaga.
• This confluence occurs in Tandi, which is located within the upper Himalayas in Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh, at an elevation of 2,286 meters.
• The length of the Chenab River is estimated to be approximately 960 kilometers.
• The Jhelum River joins the Chenab River at Trimmu, following which the Chenab is also joined by the Ravi River Ahmedpur Sial.
• After this the Chenab merges with the Sutlej River in an area near Uch Sharif in Pakistan.
• Finally, the Chenab also joins the Indus River at Mithankot.
• The tributaries of the Chenab River include Miyar Nalla, Sohal, Thirot, Bhut Nalla, Marusudar, and Lidrari.
• Marusudar is regarded as the biggest tributary of Chenab and joins Chenab in Bhandalkot.
• Kalnai, Neeru, Bichleri, Raghi and join the Chenab between Kishtwar and the Akhnoor region.
• Chenab is joined by Tawi as well as Manawar Tawi within Pakistan.