PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates World’s Highest Railway Bridge Over Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar, 6th June 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab railway bridge in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, marking a historic milestone in India’s infrastructure development. The bridge, recognized as the world’s highest railway arch bridge, stands at a height of 359 meters above the Chenab River, surpassing the Eiffel Tower, and is a key component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which now connects Kashmir to the rest of the country by rail.
The inauguration ceremony took place in Reasi district, with the Prime Minister waving the national flag, Tiranga, to mark the occasion. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This visit also marked PM Modi’s first trip to Jammu and Kashmir following Operation Sindoor, a military response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April.
The Chenab bridge is an engineering marvel, stretching 1,315 meters in length and designed to withstand seismic activity, landslides, and extreme weather conditions, including wind speeds up to 266 km/h and temperatures ranging from -20°C to 45°C. Constructed using over 28,000 tonnes of steel and more than 66,000 cubic meters of concrete, the bridge is built to last at least 120 years and cost Rs 1,486 crore. Its robust design also allows for the transport of heavy military equipment, enhancing strategic connectivity in the region.
With the completion of the bridge, train travel between Katra and Srinagar will now take just three hours, reducing the previous travel time by two to three hours and providing all-weather access to the Kashmir Valley. Following the inauguration, PM Modi also flagged off the Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, further integrating the region into India’s railway network.
