Chenab Bridge: PM Modi inaugurates world’s highest railway arch bridge | All you need to know

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the iconic Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, in Jammu and Kashmir.

Perched at a height of 359 metres above the river, the bridge is touted as an engineering marvel and stands taller than Paris's iconic Eiffel Tower.

In his post on X ahead of his visit, PM Modi described the bridge as an "extraordinary feat of architecture" and said that it will improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.

Here's all you need to know about the Chenab Bridge:

Standing tall

The Chenab Bridge, which towers 1,178 feet above the riverbed, surpasses even the height of the Eiffel Tower. Its steel arch stretches 467 metres, with a total length of 1,315 metres. The architectural wonder is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, a crucial step toward improving rail connectivity in the Himalayan region.

Engineered for the extremes

Constructed using 28,000 tonnes of steel, the bridge has been designed to endure wind speeds exceeding 260 kmph and seismic tremors. It features 93 deck segments—each weighing around 85 tonnes—and was built with six lakh bolts and 17 spans.

22 years in the making

The project was first approved in 2003 under then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and has taken 22 years to reach completion. Engineers launched deck segments from both ends of the valley, demonstrating a remarkable feat of precision and coordination.

Tourism boost

The Chenab Bridge is expected to become not just a key transport artery but also a major tourism draw. With the introduction of Vande Bharat trains on this route, travel time between Katra and Srinagar is expected to drop to about three hours.

Lifespan of 120 years

Designed for durability, the bridge boasts a projected lifespan of 120 years, making it one of the longest-lasting infrastructure investments in India’s history.

Strategic importance

The bridge is a critical asset in India’s strategic infrastructure -- built to support the movement of heavy artillery and enable swift deployment of defence forces to border areas. In light of the recent security concerns, including the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, its importance is further underscored.

At the same time, it serves as a tangible symbol of integration, further weaving Jammu and Kashmir more deeply into the rest of India.

PM Modi in J&K

Apart from Chenab bridge, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate Anji bridge -- India's first cable-stayed rail bridge that will serve the nation in a challenging terrain.

He will also flag off Vande Bharat trains and will also lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra.