Chenab Bridge: Awe-inspiring facts about world’s highest bridge in J&K

Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, is almost ready, and will likely open for railway operations soon. Referring to it as an ‘infrastructure marvel in making’, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal also shared a photo of the 476 m-long steel arches of the upcoming railway bridge over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.
Reportedly, Indian Railways has been constructing this bridge over the Chenab River, under Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project (USBRL). Built at a height of 359 m, Chenab Bridge has always been in the news as it was touted to become the world’s highest railway bridge.
As per Deepak Kumar, Chief Public Relations Officer, Northern Railway, the construction of arch closure will be completed by March 2021, whereas the construction of the bridge is expected to be completed by year end. Reports have it that viaduct and track laying work will start once the arch construction is completed.
Here’s all that you need to know about the world’s highest bridge.

• At 359 m height above the river bed, Chenab bridge will be 35 m taller than the Eiffel tower.
• This bridge will be 1.315 km, and will have stations at both the ends.
• Since the bridge has been built over a deep gorge, wind will pose a significant threat on the stability of the bridge. To tackle this issue, modern wind tunnel tests were performed in Denmark to finalise the design, and make sure that the is able to withstand wind velocity up to 266 kmph.
• It’s made up of steel arches, whereas the mountain slopes supporting the foundations of the main arch have been stabilised.
• Although touted as an engineering marvel, it has missed several deadlines for completion due to inclement climate, and challenging terrain in young fold mountains of Himalayas.
• Built in an earthquake prone Seismic Zone IV, seismic analysis has also been carried out by various IITs. Reportedly, the bridge will be able to withstand earthquake forces up to Seismic Zone V.
• It has also been designed to be ‘blast-proof’ in consultation with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Reportedly, the bridge will have a lifespan of 120 years, and have a design speed of 100 km.