Chenab Railway Bridge, Location, Height, Latest News

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Chenab Railway Bridge Latest News

The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the Chenab railway bridge, the world’s highest rail bridge, marking a historic milestone in India’s infrastructure journey.

About Chenab Railway Bridge

It is located in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is built at a cost of around ₹1,400 crore above the Chenab River.
It is a vital part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line (USBRL), aimed at connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country.
It holds the record for the tallest railway arch bridge globally, with a deck height of 359 metres—35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower.
Spanning 1,315 metres, the structure includes a 785-metre arch and a 530-metre approach span, designed to traverse a deep gorge in the challenging Himalayan terrain.
The bridge is designed to last 120 years, capable of withstanding winds up to 266 km/h, earthquakes up to magnitude 8, and explosions equivalent to 40 tonnes of TNT.
It is engineered to endure extreme Himalayan climates, tolerating temperatures as low as -20°C and maintaining structural integrity in severe weather.

Chenab Railway Bridge Project Execution

Managed by Konkan Railway Corporation, the project was executed by Afcons Infrastructure, VSL India, and South Korea’s Ultra Construction & Engineering.
Steel Authority of India supplied the steel, and Swiss firm Mageba provided specialised bearings.
Engineers used Tekla software to create precise 3D models, aiding accurate design and construction in a geologically complex region.
The foundation and safety assessments were conducted by top Indian institutions.
IISc Bangalore designed the protective base, IIT Delhi and IIT Roorkee handled seismic and slope analyses, while DRDO contributed to the bridge’s blast-resistant features.
Construction required over 28,660 metric tonnes of steel and the creation of 26 kilometres of motorable roads for access and transport in the mountainous region.