World’s Highest Railway Bridge: India Dedicates Chenab Bridge to the Nation

On Friday, India marked a historic engineering milestone as Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the world’s highest railway bridge — the **Chenab Bridge** — to the nation. Constructed in the rugged valleys of Kashmir, this steel arch bridge spans the Chenab River at an astonishing height of **359 meters**, making it **35 meters taller than the iconic Eiffel Tower** in Paris.

The Chenab Bridge, part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, stretches **1,315 meters** and is built to withstand earthquakes and wind speeds up to 260 km/h — a necessity due to the wind tunnel effect observed between the two mountains it connects. This remarkable feat of Indian engineering is located in **Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir**, within **Seismic Zone V**, one of the most earthquake-prone regions of India.

Draped in the national flag, Prime Minister Modi was seen walking across the Chenab Bridge, symbolizing a proud moment for the country. In addition to inaugurating the Chenab Bridge, he also launched the **Anji Bridge** — India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge — and flagged off the **Vande Bharat Express** connecting **Katra to Srinagar**, the first high-speed train to run through the Kashmir valley. With this launch, the journey from Jammu to Srinagar will now take just **3 hours**.

PM Modi also interacted with engineers, workers, and project team members to encourage them for their contribution to this monumental achievement. He emphasized that the Chenab Bridge is not just a marvel of engineering but a symbol of the **unity, resolve, and capabilities of a new India**. He remarked that the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link is more than just infrastructure — it is a new identity for the region and a long-cherished dream now fulfilled.

Before flagging off the Vande Bharat Express from Katra railway station, the Prime Minister met with passengers and the train crew. He also visited a specially curated **railway museum** near the Chenab Bridge and received a detailed project briefing from Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, accompanied by Union Minister Jitendra Singh and J&K Lieutenant Governor **Manoj Sinha**. Former Chief Minister **Omar Abdullah** also praised the bridge and acknowledged the Prime Minister’s efforts during the event.

The **Anji Bridge**, another marvel inaugurated the same day, is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge and is vital for connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country via rail.

Speaking at a public gathering in Katra after the inauguration, PM Modi highlighted the **immense challenges** faced during the construction of this project. He noted that, with the blessings of **Mata Vaishno Devi**, the dream of integrating Kashmir with the rest of India through an extraordinary railway network has finally become a reality. He declared, *“From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Indian Railways is now a tangible link — once just a dream.”*

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha praised the bridge, saying that PM Modi has lit a new torch of development for the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Former CM Omar Abdullah also expressed his appreciation during the inauguration ceremony.

With its completion, the Chenab Bridge is not just a significant engineering achievement but is also expected to become a **major tourist attraction**, drawing visitors eager to witness the world's highest rail arch bridge in the scenic landscapes of Kashmir. The enhanced connectivity is expected to boost **tourism, trade, and industrial development**, creating new opportunities for businesses and accelerating economic growth in the region. The rail connectivity between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley will open new doors for local entrepreneurs and take the region’s development to new heights.