Exciting news from Kashmir! The Chenab Rail Bridge in Reasi district, standing 359 meters above the Chenab River, will soon see trains running across it. As the highest rail bridge in the world, it exemplifies human ingenuity and engineering excellence, overcoming significant geographical challenges to enhance infrastructure and connectivity.
The Northern Railway has announced that the train service from Ramban to Reasi will soon traverse this monumental bridge. Currently, trains operate along the Kanyakumari to Katra route, with services extending from Baramulla to Sangaldan in the Kashmir Valley.
Vishesh Mahajan, Reasi’s Deputy Commissioner, told ANI, “This is an extraordinary engineering feat. The day when trains start running to Reasi will be transformative for the district. Our engineers have achieved a marvel—it’s the eighth wonder of the world. The bridge’s construction, resilience against wind speeds, all are remarkable. While an exact date remains uncertain, we eagerly await its opening.”
Trains to Cross World’s Highest Rail Bridge in Kashmir Soon
Railway officials have recently conducted thorough inspections of the newly constructed railway line and stations between Sangaldan in Ramban district and Reasi.
Sujay Kumar, Deputy Chief Engineer of Konkan Railways, described the project as highly challenging. “The situation has pleased the affected communities. We anticipate completion in the near future,” he remarked.
Fascinating Facts About the Chenab Rail Bridge:
- Each side of this globally acclaimed structure measures approximately one-fourth the size of a football field.
- A total of 30,000 metric tons of steel were used in the construction.
- The bridge was built at a cost of ₹14,000 crore.
- Engineers designed it to endure extreme conditions, including temperatures as low as -40°C and seismic activity..
- Additionally, it can withstand wind speeds of up to 260 km/h.
Phase I of the project, covering the 118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section, commenced in October 2009. Subsequent phases included the inauguration of the 18 km Banihal-Qazigund section in June 2013 and the 25 km Udhampur-Katra section in July 2014.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the USBRL project, including the 48.1 km Banihal-Sangaldan section, on February 20, 2024.