Chenab Bridge, Jammu & Kashmir: What’s So Special About The World’s Highest Railway Bridge? (With 18 Quick Facts)
India shows its resilience and its commitment to infrastructural development and tourism. 6th June 2025! India now has the Chenab Bridge, the highest railway bridge in the world.
A few days before, everyone was curious about “Is Kashmir Safe to Travel Now?” and now Jammu and Kashmir is garnering all the limelight for its Chenab Bridge.
This 1,315-meter-long bridge on the Chenab River is an architectural marvel and is surely going to be an addition to the best places to visit in Kashmir.
Beyond that, it’s now a mid-air marvel with flight pilots announcing, “Below you is the Chenab Bridge” while flying over. In this regard, Dilip Kumar, Executive Director, Information and Publicity, Railway Board, said,
“The Chenab Bridge draws admiration from every altitude, where pride rises from the earth and echoes through the clouds.”
Even Amul, the brand behind the white revolution in India, has paid an ode to the highest railway bridge in the world with its incredible ad, “Dream Railized.”
The ad also grabbed the attention of Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Railway Minister. He even shared the ad from his X account.
So, there is a palpable sense of pride around this railway bridge that is taller than the Eiffel Tower and is an important link in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL).
But that’s not all! This railway bridge, built 359 meters above the Chenab, speaks volumes about a nation’s character and an actualization of the “Make in India” slogan started by the Prime Minister of India.
Do you want to know more about the Chenab Bridge? This Dream and Travel Guide has it all!
Where Is Chenab Bridge Located? Chenab Bridge In Which State?
The Chenab railway bridge is located in the Reasi district of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
Further, its strategic location is significant for geopolitical reasons, and it is a prominent link in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL).
Chenab Bridge: 18 Quick Facts You Want To Know About The World’s Highest Railway Bridge
Here are some quick and fun facts you need to know about the Chenab Bridge.
1. Which Government Started Chenab Bridge Project?
Dr. Manmohan Singh, or the UPA Government, started the Chenab Bridge Project.
2. What Is The Chenab Bridge Height?
The height of the Chenab Bridge is 359 meters.
3. What Is The Chenab Railway Bridge Length?
The length of the Chenab Railway Bridge is 1,315 meters.
4. What Is The Chenab Railway Bridge Opening Date?
6th June 2025 is the opening date of the Chenab Bridge.
5. What Is The Jammu To Chenab Bridge Distance?
The distance between Jammu and the Chenab Bridge Road is around 108 km.
6. What Is The Chenab Railway Bridge Cost Of Construction?
The cost of the Chenab Bridge’s construction is around 1,400 crores.
7. What Is The Chenab Bridge Start Date?
6th June 2025 is the start date of the Chenab Bridge.
8. Chenab Bridge On Which River?
The Chenab Bridge is on the Anji River. It is a tributary of the Chenab River.
9. Which Company Made Chenab Bridge?
The construction of the Chenab Bridge has been a global engineering collaboration. The following companies and organizations have been the key forces behind building the bridge.
- Project Execution: Afcons Infrastructure, Ultra Construction & Engineering from South Korea, VSL India
- Steel Supply: Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
- Specialized Bearings: Mageba, Switzerland
- Foundations and Viaduct: WSP Group (Finland)
- Designing the Main Bridge Arch: Leonhardt Andra (Germany)
10. How Taller Is Chenab Bridge Than The Eiffel Tower?
Chenab Bridge is taller than the Eiffel Tower by 35 meters.
11. How Is The Chenab Bridge Built?
The Chenab Bridge is built using steel and concrete. 28,660 metric tonnes of steel were used in the construction.
The steel used, including 6,454 tonnes of plates, 5,922 tonnes of TMT steel, and 56 tonnes of structural steel, primarily came from the Bhilai Plant of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
The remaining amount of steel came from Durgapur, Rourkela, and Bokaro Plants of SAIL.
Additionally, 25 kilometers of motorable roads were constructed for easy access to the railway bridge.
12. Which Technology Is Used In Designing The Chenab Bridge?
Tekla software is used in the 3D modeling of the bridge. This software has ensured accuracy in the bridge’s design.
13. How Long Will Chenab Bridge Last?
The Chenab Bridge will last for 120 years.
14. How Strong Is The Chenab Bridge?
The mammoth steel and concrete architecture of the rail bridge will help you to cross a deep gorge in the challenging Himalayan terrain.
Further, it can withstand and maintain its structural integrity during the following harsh conditions.
- Up to 266 km/h wind
- Explosions up to 40 tonnes of Trinitrotoluene (TNT)
- Earthquakes up to the magnitude of 8
- Low temperatures up to -20 degrees Celsius
Moreover, the bridge is corrosion-resistant. A special paint with a lifespan of 15 years has been applied to the bridge.
15. What Is The Main Aim Of The Chenab Bridge?
Located on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail route, the bridge primarily aims to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country in all weather conditions.
Further, it is a crucial part of the USBRL or Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link project worth INR 35,000 crore. So, it also aims to improve regional mobility.
Moreover, it wants to promote the overall economic growth of Jammu and Kashmir and stand for the modern infrastructure journey of the country.
In addition, it promotes national integration and support for defense logistics.
16. How Safe Is The Chenab Bridge?
The top-notch Indian institutions have done the safety and foundation assessment of the bridge.
Here are the details.
- IISc Bangalore: Designing the Protective Base
- IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi: Slope and Seismic Analysis of the Bridge
- DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation): Blast-resistant feature of the bridge
17. What Were The Difficulties In Completing The Chenab Bridge Project? Why Was The Chenab Bridge Delayed?
The geology of the Himalayan terrain and seismic risks were the main challenges in completing the Chenab Bridge project.
So, even if the project was approved in 2008, it was completed in 2005 after strict safety validation and the use of innovative engineering.
18. What Is The Current Status Of The Chenab Bridge?
This single arch, the highest railway bridge in the world, has a single-track railway line. The single-track railway operation aligns with the resilient construction, engineering, and economic requirements of the bridge.
The Inauguration Of Chenab Bridge: How It Grabbed All The Limelight
The inauguration of the Chenab Bridge has been a resonance of the promise of Prime Minister Modi. He promised that the young people of Pahalgam would not be affected by the recent terrorist attacks.
Further, the opening ceremony of the highest single-arch railway bridge in the world celebrated the endeavor, which continued for 20 years.
Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, inaugurated the bridge by hoisting the national flag, and in his speech, he mentioned that India’s dream to connect Kashmir to Kanyakumari became true with the opening of the Chenab Bridge.
This railway bridge stretches between Katra and Srinagar, the capital of Indian-Administered Kashmir. Moreover, earlier, there was a single road connecting Katra and Srinagar.
The railway line will lessen the reliance on the road and will cut down the 7-hour journey by half. It will also facilitate the easy mobilization of the army.
On 6th June 2025, the date of the inauguration of the Chenab Bridge, two passenger trains ran on the bridge for the first time.
School children took a ride in a Vande Bharat Express Coach, announcing a strong and promising economic future for Kashmir.
How Was The Chenab Bridge Built? Know The People Behind It, Challenges, And More
When the Chenab Bridge was started, it was intended to be a technological marvel. However, over time, it has become a symbol of national integration.
1. Who Built Chenab Bridge? Know The People Behind This Engineering Brilliance
TG Sitharam, an IISC Professor and the geotechnical consultant of the project from 2005 to 2020, has shared his beautiful thoughts.
“The Chenab Bridge is more than a technical achievement — it is a story of human endeavour, of teamwork, of innovation under pressure, and above all, of patriotic purpose.”
Other important people behind the construction of this bridge are:
| People Behind the Construction of the Chenab Bridge | Designation | Contribution to Making the Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| G Madhavi Latha | Professor, IISc, Bengaluru | Worked for 17 years to make the foundation stable. |
| KJ Rao | Professor, IIT Delhi | Project Consultant |
G Madhavi Latha and her team adopted a “Design as you go” method. The terrain was complex, and the construction process demanded many modifications and multiple calculations.
2. The Challenges In Constructing The Chenab Bridge: Conquering Them With Technology
Accessing the bridge location was one of the major challenges in making the bridge. Initially, the team members of Afcons Infrastructure Limited used mules and horses as their primary modes of transport.
Then, temporary roads were made to access the bridge location. Over time, an 11-km road was constructed on the north bank of the river, and a 12-km road was constructed on the south bank of the river.
Another major challenge was conquering the steep slopes of the Himalayan Terrain. However, consolidation grouting helped to overcome this challenge.
After the foundation of the arch, the erection happened using a cantilever technique.
How To Reach Chenab Bridge By Train?
The Katra to Chenab Bridge distance is around 66 km. You have to take the Vande Bharat Express (26401) from Katra to Srinagar to reach the bridge.
It is a 3-hour train ride. The tickets for the Katra to Srinagar journey cost ₹715 for the AC Chair Car and ₹ 1320 for the Executive Chair Car.
The train departs from Katra (SHMATA VD KATRA) at 8:10 AM and reaches Srinagar at 11:08 AM. You can board the train 6 days a week, and it does not run on Tuesdays.
Again, the return train (Vande Bharat 26402) from Srinagar to Katra starts from Srinagar at 2 PM and reaches Katra at 4:58 PM.
The return train ticket from Srinagar to Katra for the AC Chair Car is ₹880, and for the Executive Chair Car, the price is ₹1515. This train also runs on all days of the week except Tuesdays.
Why Is Chenab Bridge Important? An Architecture Beyond The Highest Railway Bridge In The World
Beyond its technological and architectural marvels, the Chenab Bridge has also appealed to me as a symbol of gender equality and prosperity.
Let me explain!
Kashmir had 3.5 million visitors in 2024, and in 2025, the number was expected to be significantly higher. However, the Pahalgam terror attack changed the scenario.
The Chenab Bridge can be the strongest symbol of a comeback, boosting tourism and connectivity in the area. Moreover, once the Srinagar to Jammu Railway Link stretches to New Delhi, it will offer a more economical travel option for travelers.
Furthermore, by improving connectivity, this rail route will help farmers and business owners of apples, almonds, cherries, saffron, and other Kashmiri specialties to explore new markets.
Again, the bridge connecting the two banks of the Chenab River will offer Kashmir’s economy a fresh new lease of life.
Moreover, with this bridge, Kashmir will be the highlight of the Viksit Bharat 2047 motto.
Also, G Madhavi Latha, one of the leading minds in the bridge’s construction, has set new examples for women in leadership roles.
Chenab Bridge: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about the Chenab Bridge.
Yes, the Chenab Bridge is the world’s highest single-arch railway bridge.
The Chenab Bridge connects the Katra and Srinagar Railway Stations.
The Vande Bharat Express runs on the Chenab Bridge.
Yes, it is taller than the Eiffel Tower. It is taller than the Eiffel Tower by 35 meters.
Chenab Bridge is the highest in the world. Its height is 359 meters.
Professor and civil engineer G. Madhavi Latha is the main engineer of the Chenab Bridge.
The Sidu River Bridge is the second-highest bridge in the world. It is located in the Hubei Province of China.
