India opens world’s highest single-arch railway bridge in Kashmir
Chenab Railway Bridge is more than just an infrastructure project. It’s a symbol of national unity, resilience, and integration
On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Railway Bridge, the world’s highest railway arc h bridge. Standing 359 meters above the Chenab River — 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower — the bridge is part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).
Located between Bakkal and Kauri in Reasi district, the 1.3-kilometer-long bridge forms a vital segment of the 272-kilometer rail corridor through the rugged Himalayan terrain. The USBRL includes 36 tunnels totaling 119 kilometers and 943 bridges. The entire project is fully electrified and was completed at a cost of approximately ₹43,780 crore (around $5 billion).
Built with 30,000 tonnes of steel, the bridge features a two-ribbed arch design and was assembled over three years using massive cable cranes. It is engineered to withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 8, wind speeds of 260 km/h, extreme weather conditions, and even explosive blasts. The bridge is designed to last 120 years.
The opening of the Chenab Bridge marks the first time the Kashmir Valley has been linked to India’s national railway network, fulfilling a vision more than four decades in the making.
A Vande Bharat Express service between Katra and Srinagar was also launched, equipped to handle sub-zero temperatures with heated windscreens and insulated coaches. The new connectivity has reduced travel time between Srinagar and Jammu from seven hours to just three.
The bridge is expected to significantly boost tourism, facilitate trade, and improve the transport of local agricultural produce. It also enhances strategic military mobility in the region. The bridge has already become a visual icon for air travelers flying over Srinagar, with pilots often pointing it out to passengers.
The bridge’s completion comes after nearly 20 years of delays, due to complex environmental, legal, and safety issues. Its construction stands as one of India’s most ambitious civil-engineering achievements, overcoming difficult terrain and high seismic risk zones.
The Chenab Railway Bridge is more than just an infrastructure project. It’s a symbol of national unity, resilience, and integration. By connecting the Kashmir Valley to the broader Indian rail network, it represents a leap forward for economic development, social cohesion, and strategic connectivity in one of the country’s most sensitive regions.
