'You prepared for UPSC': When Ashwini Vaishnaw shared his Geography gyaan

Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnav highlighted the uniqueness of the Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, the highest arch railway bridge in the world, during an interaction session at News18 Chaupal 2024 in Delhi on Monday.

Discussing the challenges and accomplishments involved in constructing the bridge, the minister said the geology of the Himalayas is relatively young, with the mountains still undergoing formation.

"Below the Himalayan surface, rock layers are in the process of development as the mountains are still rising," he said, adding that the strong granitic layers have not formed yet, making the surface unstable.

Pointing out the unique topography and unstable ground as major challenges, he jokingly told the conclave host, "I am using these technical terms because I know you prepared for the UPSC exams."

He went on to discuss additional challenges, such as the need to manage increased train speeds when entering a valley and the risks posed by the earthquake-prone region.

He also said it took months to finalise the design of the bridge's anchor due to safety and stability concerns.

He also appealed to the young audience at the conclave to inculcate the habit of fast reading.

News18 India is presenting the ninth season of its annual summit, Chaupal, today, bringing together key personalities from the fields of politics, sports and entertainment to discuss and shape India’s growth narrative.