PM Modi Inaugurates Chenab Bridge, Flags Off Vande Bharat in J&K On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world’s highest railway arch bridge—the iconic Chenab Railway Bridge—in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. In a historic push for railway infrastructure in the Union Territory, he also flagged off the Vande Bharat Express from Katra to Srinagar and unveiled the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. These projects are integral to the Rs 43,780-crore Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a strategic national project aimed at bringing the Kashmir Valley onto India’s railway map. (Image: PTI)
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Chenab Bridge: Engineering Wonder Taller Than Eiffel Tower The Chenab Railway Bridge stands at an awe-inspiring height of 359 metres above the Chenab River, making it 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. Located between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district, this arch bridge spans 1,315 metres and uses a 467-metre steel arch as its centerpiece. As part of the Katra–Sangaldan stretch of the USBRL, the bridge provides uninterrupted rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley for the first time in Indian history, revolutionizing transport and integration in the region. (Image: PTI)
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PM Modi Inspects Bridge Site Accompanied by Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union MoS Jitendra Singh, and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, PM Modi visited the scenic viewpoint overlooking the Chenab Bridge, where he received a briefing on its strategic significance and engineering complexity. (Image: PTI)
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PM Modi Meets Engineers, Visits Railway Museum Ahead of the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi interacted with engineers and workers at the railway museum near the Chenab Bridge in Reasi. He also toured the museum, which showcases the history of rail transport in Jammu and Kashmir and celebrates the region’s engineering achievements. (Image: PTI)
Chenab Bridge: Built to Last in Harsh Himalayan Terrain Constructed in a seismic Zone IV area, the Chenab Bridge has been designed to endure high wind speeds of up to 260 km/h, significant temperature variations, and earthquakes. Built with over 30,000 metric tonnes of steel and using state-of-the-art Tekla software for structural detailing, it reflects India’s engineering prowess. Conceptualized in 2004 and completed in 2022, the bridge took nearly two decades due to difficult terrain, fragile geology, and extreme weather, standing today as a monument of perseverance and precision. (Image: PTI)
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Vande Bharat Cuts Travel Time Between Katra and Srinagar to 3 Hours PM Modi also flagged off the Vande Bharat Express on the newly operational Katra–Srinagar section of the USBRL. The train now covers this distance in just 3 hours—down from the earlier 5–6 hours—bringing faster, more efficient travel to locals and tourists. The high-speed train service is expected to improve access, reduce road congestion, and spur regional economic activity. (Image: PTI)
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272 km, 36 Tunnels, 943 Bridges: Inside the Rs 43,780-Crore USBRL Project The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is a 272-km national project that includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges, making it one of the most complex railway undertakings in India. With an estimated cost of Rs 43,780 crore, it aims to ensure year-round rail access to the Kashmir Valley, which often remains cut off during winters due to snow. (File Image)
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Anji Khad Bridge: India’s First Cable-Stayed Rail Bridge Unveiled Along with the Chenab Bridge, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the Anji Khad Bridge—India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge and another landmark achievement under the USBRL project. Connecting the Katra and Reasi sections, the bridge provides a secure and stable rail link across one of Jammu & Kashmir’s most rugged and geologically challenging terrains. (Image: PTI)
Anji Khad Bridge: Iconic ‘Inverted Y’ Pylon Design The Anji Khad Bridge rises 331 metres above the riverbed and stretches 725 metres in length. It is supported by 96 high-tensile cables extending from a 193-metre-tall inverted Y-shaped pylon. This architectural feature not only ensures stability but also adds to the visual grandeur of the structure. The bridge provides critical rail access across a valley marked by deep gorges and unstable rock formations. (File Image)
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Rapid Construction in Fragile Geological Zone Despite being located in the young fold mountains of the Himalayas—an area prone to landslides, fault lines, and seismic activity—the Anji Khad Bridge was completed in just 11 months. Over 8,200 metric tonnes of structural steel and 653 km of cable strands were used to ensure resilience and long-term safety. This feat underscores Indian Railways' ability to deliver world-class infrastructure in record time under challenging conditions. (Image: PTI)
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Railway Links That Unite: USBRL’s Wider Impact The Chenab and Anji bridges, along with the Vande Bharat launch, represent more than just engineering milestones. They signify India’s effort to bring the Kashmir Valley closer to the rest of the country. The seamless rail connectivity is expected to boost tourism, promote cross-regional trade, enable easier movement of people and goods, and bring new economic opportunities to the region’s remote communities. (Image: PTI)
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A Landmark Day in India's Infrastructure Journey PM Modi hailed the inauguration day as a “historic moment” in the country’s railway development. He praised the workforce behind the USBRL project for their dedication and vision. By overcoming engineering challenges, hostile terrain, and extreme weather, these projects set new global benchmarks in mountain railway construction and further India’s mission of inclusive national integration. (Image: PTI)
Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytelling—both visual and textual—across travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences.
