Chenab Arch Rail Bridge

The Chenab Rail Bridge, inaugurated on 6 June 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is now officially the world’s highest railway arch bridge, towering at 359 m above the riverbed—notably 35 m taller than the Eiffel Tower  .

• Project announcement:-

The Chenab arch rail bridge was officially approved in December 2003 as part of the broader Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project  . This approval came under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, which had initiated and prioritized the project in the early 2000s  .

• 🕰️ Timeline of Chenab Arch Rail Bridge:-
• 1990s – Initial Planning Phase

Mid-1990s: The idea of connecting the Kashmir Valley by rail was proposed.

Surveys and route planning for the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) began.

• 2002 – Project Launch

The USBRL project was officially launched under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Project entrusted to Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) and Indian Railways.

• 2003 – Approval

December 2003: The Chenab Bridge was formally approved as part of the USBRL.

Recognized as the most challenging and strategic part of the project.

• 2008 – Construction Begins

Foundation work and preparations for the arch construction started.

Initial delays due to geology, safety, and alignment concerns.

• 2012 – Work Suspended

Construction paused due to design and safety revisions, especially concerning wind and seismic resistance.

Redesigns were recommended by international consultants.

• 2015 – Work Resumes

Updated design approved for improved safety (blast resistance, wind tunnel tested).

Construction resumed by Afcons Infrastructure, in collaboration with DRDO and IITs.

• 2017 – Arch Construction Accelerates

Steel trusses and cable cranes used to begin arch structure from both sides of the river.

• April 2021 – Arch Closure

Both sides of the arch were connected at the top, completing the main arch span of 467 m.

Marked as a major engineering milestone.

• August 2022 – “Golden Joint”

The final deck segment joined, linking both ends of the railway line over the bridge.

Known as the “Golden Joint” ceremony.

• June 2024 – First Train Trial

First full train trial successfully conducted on the bridge.

Confirmed structural stability and operational readiness.

• June 2025 – Inauguration

And in June 2025 , Prime minister of India Inaugurated the bridge.

• Project cost :-

The total cost of this project around 1400 Cr also the Chenab Arch Rail Bridge is entirely funded by the Indian Central Government — it is not built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

• 🔍 Funding Details:
• The bridge is part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, a national strategic infrastructure project.
• It has been 100% financed by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
• Executed under public sector organizations including:
• Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL)
• Northern Railway
• In collaboration with agencies like Afcons Infrastructure, DRDO, IITs, and foreign consultants.
• 🏗️ Why Not PPP model?
• The Chenab bridge lies in a highly sensitive and strategic region (Jammu & Kashmir):
• Heavy security, defense, and logistic considerations.
• Difficult terrain and high construction risk.
• Low immediate commercial returns for private investors.

Because of these factors, the government fully funded and controlled the project for national security and integration purposes.

• Chenab arch rail bridge feature:-
• Total length: 1 315 m, including viaducts .
• Main arch span: 467 m—the longest railway arch span globally .
• Built to endure winds up to ~260 km/h, 8‑magnitude earthquakes, and extreme temperatures .
• Designed with blast‑proof steel, corrosion‑resistant coatings, and a real‑time structural monitoring system .
• Durability: expected 120‑year lifespan .
• Constructed with 28 000 t+ of steel and 46 000 m³ of concrete; assembly used dual cable‑crane systems .
• Social and economical impact of chenab arch rail bridge:-

Forms a critical segment of the 272 km Udhampur‑Srinagar‑Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), integrating Kashmir by rail for the first time  .

• Travel time reduction: Journey between Katra and Srinagar now ~3 hours via Vande Bharat Express—compared to 6–7 hours by road .
• Boosts tourism, agricultural produce movement, and military logistics, particularly in winter

Also symbolic of India’s engineering resolve in complex Himalayan terrain  .