Chenab Rail Bridge Achieves Big Milestone! Indian Railways Conducts Train Trials On World’s Highest Railway Bridge - Check Top Facts

Chenab railway bridge current status: When will the world’s highest railway arch bridge, built over the Chenab river by Indian Railways, be completed? A significant milestone towards starting trains on the Chenab rail bridge has been taken with the trial of a train being conducted for the first time on the iconic bridge! Chenab bridge, situated in the challenging Himalayan landscape, is an engineering marvel that will play a vital role in connecting Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of India. So what’s special about the Chenab bridge? What are its main features, cost and awe-inspiring facts? We take a look at the top facts about the breathtaking Chenab railway bridge:

Chenab bridge trial: On June 20, 2024, a trial run of the MEMU train was successfully conducted on the newly electrified line section between Reasi and Sangaldan, covering a route length of 46 km on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. A significant milestone was achieved when the train crossed the iconic bridge between Dugga and Bakkal stations, situated across the Chenab river.

Chenab Bridge Height: The Chenab river bridge, constructed at an impressive height of 359 metres above the river bed, surpasses the Eiffel Tower in height by 35 metres! The Chenab bridge, located in the challenging Himalayan terrain, is an engineering marvel. It serves as a vital part of the under construction railway link connecting Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of India.

The Chenab Bridge consists of 17 spans, with the main arch spanning an impressive 467 metres, making it the longest of its kind. The bridge consists of 93 deck segments, each weighing approximately 85 tonnes. These segments have been simultaneously launched from both ends of the valley, spanning the massive steel arch that supports the structure.

Chenab bridge has been designed to withstand extreme conditions. It is engineered to resist wind speeds of up to 266 kilometres per hour, making it capable of enduring severe weather.

Chenab bridge is built to be ‘blast-proof’ and can withstand severe earthquakes as well, ensuring its structural integrity even in the face of potential disasters. The bridge is designed to support train speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour and is expected to have an impressive lifespan of 120 years.

The Chenab bridge project, undertaken by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited, has faced numerous delays due to the difficult terrain and weather. The bridge's steel arches required extensive stabilization of the mountain slopes, a complex and demanding task. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 1486 crore, according to Indian Railways.

The construction of the Chenab bridge has been a collaborative effort, involving various international organizations and renowned Indian institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and the Geological Survey of India.

Chenab bridge, which spans 1.3 kilometres, is a crucial component of the 111 km Katra-Banihal route of the USBRL project. The entire USBRL project of Indian Railways is expected to be completed by year-end.