Srinagar: The Chenab Bridge, touted as the world’s tallest rail bridge, is on the brink of operational readiness, boasting advanced safety measures. Standing at a towering 359 meters (about 1,178 feet) above the Chenab River, it surpasses the height of the Eiffel Tower by approximately 35 meters.
Deepak Kumar, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railways told Kashmir Horizon that the bridge’s cutting-edge features. “Equipped with over 100 sensors and a 780-meter-long blast protection platform, the Chenab Bridge also houses a state-of-the-art control room supported by 150 servers,” he said. He further elaborated, “The blast protection platform is crucial for absorbing impacts during train operations, ensuring safety. Additionally, 120 sensors continuously monitor the bridge’s structural health, ensuring round-the-clock safety measures.”
This milestone underscores India’s engineering prowess and commitment to advancing railway infrastructure, setting a new benchmark in global railway engineering. Kumar emphasized that the installation of sensors is integral to a sophisticated smart asset management system aimed at monitoring the Chenab Bridge’s structural integrity in real-time. These sensors will continuously relay crucial data such as wind velocity, temperature, humidity, vibrations, and other essential parameters. The Chenab Bridge, spanning 1,315 meters in length, is a remarkable feat of engineering, designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 260 kmph and capable of withstanding the most severe earthquake forces.
Highlighting the geographical and geological challenges of the project, Kumar stated, “Given the hilly terrain, wind velocities can fluctuate significantly, necessitating continuous monitoring by Indian Railways.” He underscored the bridge’s strategic importance within the Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project, situated between Bakkal and Kauri in Reasi district of Jammu. CPRO Kumar further explained that the bridge’s sensor system is equipped to trigger alarms and alert station masters in case of emergencies, such as exceeding permissible wind speeds. Trained personnel are deployed to oversee and operate the structural health monitoring system from a centralized control room. In addition to its engineering marvels, the project includes India’s longest tunnel, T-49, stretching 12.77 km, with global tunnelling experts involved in its construction. The extensive excavation work, totaling about 12 lakh cubic meters, underscores the scale of the project. Furthermore, Kumar highlighted the completion of overhead equipment testing and installation at a height of 5.7 meters above the tracks in preparation for regular train operations. Given its proximity to border regions, stringent security measures have been implemented by Indian Railways, ensuring comprehensive safety and operational readiness. Kumar noted that after a two-decade wait since its approval in 2003, the Chenab Bridge encountered delays primarily due to stability concerns. However, the construction contract was eventually awarded in 2008. Overcoming these challenges, track laying commenced in February 2023, and the Chenab rail bridge has now transitioned into its operational phase. Constructed using approximately 30,350 metric tons of steel, the 1,315-meter-long Chenab Railway Bridge incorporates 10,620 metric tons for its massive arch and another 14,504 metric tons for the bridge deck. A testament to India’s self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), the bridge stands 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower and was entirely built by Indian engineers. With plans for trains to begin operating this year, the bridge signifies another significant milestone for the country.
On June 19, Indian Railways successfully conducted a trial run across the newly constructed Chenab Rail Bridge, marking a pivotal moment in linking Kashmir to India’s national rail network. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw celebrated the achievement on social media, announcing, “Successful trial run of MEMU train between Sangaldan – Reasi section of USBRL project. Jammu & Kashmir.” The Chenab Bridge plays a vital role in the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, aimed at integrating the Kashmir Valley into India’s extensive railway grid. Currently, train services operate from Kanyakumari to Katra and from Baramulla to Sangaldan in Kashmir. Officials anticipate the USBRL project’s completion by the year’s end, further enhancing connectivity and accessibility across the region.
