Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir on 6th June 2025 is being called a historic milestone for both the region and the country. The main highlight of his visit is the inauguration of the Chenab Rail Bridge, which is now the world’s highest railway arch bridge. Along with this, the Prime Minister is also launching several other important infrastructure projects. These initiatives are expected to greatly improve connectivity and development in the Himalayan region, bringing the Kashmir Valley much closer to the rest of India.

Chenab Rail Bridge: An Engineering Wonder

The Chenab Rail Bridge now holds the record as the world’s highest railway arch bridge, standing an incredible 359 metres above the Chenab River. This means it is even taller than the Eiffel Tower by 35 metres. The bridge stretches 1,315 metres in length and is a key part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. The USBRL project aims to provide smooth, all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley, which has long been a challenge due to the difficult terrain.

Building the Chenab Rail Bridge was a huge engineering challenge, especially in the hilly Reasi district. The bridge was constructed at a cost of nearly Rs 1,486 crore. It consists of a 530-metre approach bridge and a 785-metre deck arch, supported by strong pylons and steel trusses. More than 28,000 metric tonnes of steel and 66,000 cubic metres of concrete were used in its construction. The steel was supplied by the Steel Authority of India, and advanced software like Tekla was used to ensure the bridge’s precision and safety.

The bridge is not just tall, but also extremely strong and safe. It has been designed to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 8 on the Richter scale and wind speeds of up to 266 kilometres per hour. The bridge uses special 63 mm-thick blast-proof steel and has a 780-metre blast protection platform, making it capable of withstanding explosions up to 40 kg of TNT. This is an important feature given the security concerns in the region. In addition, the bridge is fitted with a modern structural health monitoring system, with 120 sensors that constantly check wind, temperature, and vibrations.

The Chenab Bridge is expected to last for 120 years and allows trains to travel at speeds of up to 100 km per hour. Even if a pier is damaged, the bridge is designed to keep functioning at a slower speed, ensuring that connectivity is not lost.

A New Era for Jammu & Kashmir

With the opening of the Chenab Rail Bridge and the completion of the USBRL project, Jammu and Kashmir is entering a new era of connectivity. The USBRL rail link covers 272 kilometres and has been built at a cost of about Rs 43,780 crore. It includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, making it possible to reach the Kashmir Valley in all weather conditions. The new Vande Bharat Express trains, which PM Modi also flagged off, will reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by two to three hours, making travel easier for residents, tourists, and pilgrims.

Along with the Chenab Rail Bridge, PM Modi also inaugurated the Anji Bridge, which is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge. He also laid the foundation stone for several road projects and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra. Together, these projects represent an investment of over ₹46,000 crore. They are expected to improve last-mile connectivity, boost tourism, and upgrade healthcare in the region.

The completion of the Chenab Rail Bridge is not just an engineering achievement for India, but also a symbol of the government’s commitment to better integrating Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the nation. The bridge is expected to open up new opportunities for economic growth, social unity, and national integration, promising a brighter future for the people of the region.