Kumar Bahukhandi
PM Modi will inaugurate the world’s highest railway bridge over Chenab river-Photo-ANI
The 1.3 km long railway bridge built on the Chenab river is 359 meters high, which is 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This bridge can remain stable even in 260 km per hour winds and seismic zone-V. 30,000 tonnes of steel and a foundation as wide as half a football field have been used in its construction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving on a historic visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Friday June 6,2025 . After Operation Sindoor, this visit is going to write a new chapter not only in security but also in development and connectivity. PM Modi is going to dedicate projects worth a total of Rs 46 thousand crores to the nation here. PM Modi will inaugurate the world’s tallest railway bridge and the country’s first cable-stayed Anji Bridge built on the Chenab River. Along with this, he will start a new era by flagging off the Vande Bharat train from Katra to Srinagar.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge at 11 am. This bridge is higher than the Eiffel Tower and is considered a symbol of India’s engineering strength. It cost around Rs 1500 crore to build it. After this, he will inaugurate the country’s first cable-stay rail bridge, Anji Rail Bridge. Around 12 noon, PM Modi will flag off two Vande Bharat trains from Katra to Srinagar.
According to the Railway Ministry, the total length of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project is 272 km and its cost is around Rs 43,780 crore. It includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges. This project is strategically important as it will not only provide convenience to the local people but will also strengthen connectivity in terms of the country’s security. The USBRL project was started in 1997, but it got stuck several times due to geological and geographical difficulties.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said on Thursday that Prime Minister Modi’s political will and support to the technical teams played an important role in the completion of the 272 km long Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. He said, “From 2004 to 2014, tracks were laid only in the flat parts, but no work was done in the difficult mountainous areas. This impossible dream has become a reality today under the leadership of PM Modi.”
Under the USBRL project, the Qazigund-Baramulla section started in the year 2009. The 18 km Banihal-Qazigund section started in the year 2013. The 25 km Udhampur-Katra started in the year 2014, Banihal to Sangaldan started in the year 2023 and now the train journey between Sangaldan and Katra is going to start.
World’s highest rail bridge and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge
According to the Railway Minister, the 1.3 km long railway bridge built on Chenab river is 359 meters high, which is 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This bridge can remain stable even in 260 km per hour winds and seismic zone-V. 30,000 tonnes of steel and a foundation as wide as half a football field have been used in its construction.
Anji Bridge is the first railway bridge in the country to use cable-stay technology. Usually this technology is used on highways, but here it has been specially designed to withstand train loads of up to 400 tonnes.
High-tech facilities will be available in Vande Bharat train
Ticket fare:
-Chair car (CC): ₹715
-Executive class (EC): ₹1320
Train facilities:
-Anti-freezing technology
-Heating system in sub-zero conditions
-360-degree rotating seats
-USB charging point
-Pure vegetarian food along with local cuisine
Vande Bharat train service will start for general passengers from June 7. These trains will make four trips a day between Katra and Srinagar. At present, their only stop will be at Banihal. It will have the facility of both chair car and executive class categories, and passengers will also be served some local cuisine along with vegetarian food.
