On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the world’s highest railway bridge built over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. This engineering marvel stands 359 meters above the river, making it taller than the Eiffel Tower. The bridge is a key part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a major railway project that aims to fully connect the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India by rail.
Constructed at a cost of ₹1,486 crore, the Chenab Bridge stretches about 1,315 meters in total length with a central arch span of 467 meters. It is built to withstand strong winds, earthquakes, and even explosions, making it not just a record-breaking structure but also a very secure one.
Alongside the Chenab Bridge, PM Modi also inaugurated the Anji Khad Bridge—India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge—and launched the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar. The special train is designed to operate in extreme winter conditions, withstanding temperatures as low as –20°C.
This inauguration also marks the completion of the 272-km USBRL project, which includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges. The project has taken over four decades to complete due to the difficult Himalayan terrain.
The new rail link is expected to bring huge benefits to the region by improving transportation, promoting tourism, and boosting economic development. It also has strategic importance, offering all-weather connectivity to this sensitive border region.
This historic event symbolizes a stronger connection between Kashmir and the rest of the country—both physically and emotionally.
