Source: https://zeenews.india.com/railways/indian-railways-track-laying-work-starts-on-world-s-highest-railway-bridge-on-chenab-bridge-2575793.html
Publisher: Zee News
India will soon have the highest railway bridge in the world, which is being constructed in Jammu Kashmir over the Chenab river. The bridge sits over 359 metres from the riverbed, and the track-laying work on the project has now started. Situated in the Reasi district of J&K, the bridge spans 1.3 kilometres in length, and it is higher than the Eiffel Tower. The bridge will help Indian Railways connect the important stretch of Katra-Banihal, which is a part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project. It is being constructed at a cost of Rs 21,653 crore. “Another milestone in USBRL Project! Track laying work begins on Chenab Bridge. Once completed, this bridge will open up new possibilities for the remote regions of Jammu and Kashmir,” the Ministry of Railways tweeted.
The base of the steel and concrete arch bridge between Bakkal and Kauri, 42 km from Reasi town, was completed in November 2017, allowing for the start of the construction of the main arch which was done in April 2021.
Another milestone on the bridge was achieved in August last year when the overarch deck of the bridge was completed with a ‘Golden Joint’, paving way for the laying of the track.
As per the officials, the construction work on the bridge started in 2004 but had to be suspended in 2008-09 to consider the aspect of safety of rail passengers in view of frequent high velocity winds in the area.
Once completed, the bridge will be able to withstand winds with speed up to 260 kmph and will have a lifespan of 120 years, the officials said.
