National: In a defining moment for Indian infrastructure and regional integration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated two landmark railway bridges in Jammu and Kashmir — the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River and the country’s first cable-stayed rail bridge at Anji Khad.
The bridges are key elements of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a project designed to finally stitch the Kashmir Valley into the national rail grid.
The Chenab Railway Bridge, a marvel of engineering perched 359 metres above the riverbed in Reasi district, now holds the title of the tallest railway bridge on the planet, surpassing even the height of the Eiffel Tower. Stretching across the rugged Himalayan terrain, the bridge links the critical Katra-Sangaldan section and completes a missing piece in the grand vision of seamless rail connectivity between New Delhi and the Kashmir Valley. Constructed in a high seismic zone with formidable topographical challenges, the bridge stands as a powerful testament to India’s infrastructural resilience and innovation.
The Prime Minister marked the occasion by walking across the deck of the Chenab Bridge, holding the national flag high. He engaged with engineers, workers, and stakeholders who played a part in turning the long-awaited USBRL vision into reality. Also present at the event were Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw — underlining the importance of the occasion across political lines.
Built at an estimated cost of ₹43,780 crore, the 272-kilometre USBRL project includes 943 bridges and 36 tunnels carved through mountainous terrain. It is expected to usher in a new era of high-speed, all-weather connectivity for the region, dramatically improving mobility, tourism, commerce, and national integration.
Adding further momentum to the region’s rail transformation, the Prime Minister also announced the launch of two Vande Bharat trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar. These state-of-the-art trains promise faster travel, greater comfort, and a leap forward in passenger experience for residents and pilgrims alike.
More than just steel and concrete, the Chenab and Anji bridges represent a larger ambition — to bring opportunity, unity, and prosperity to Jammu and Kashmir. As these new links begin to bridge physical and emotional distances, the valley stands on the cusp of an economic and developmental revival driven by the rhythm of India’s railway tracks.
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