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India Today
10 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
The making of Chenab rail bridge captured in satellite images
The satellite images of the newly inaugurated Chenab Rail Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, provide a visual journey through the construction of this engineering marvel over nearly a 2017, early satellite imagery captured auxiliary structures on the two mountain peaks flanking the Chenab River in Dharot, highlighting the initial stages of the bridge's construction. By 2022, images showed the steel arch—spanning 1,315 metres—almost complete, with just a small segment left to be joined. The latest image from February 2025 reveals the bridge in its final form: a fully completed structure that used 25,000 tonnes of metal—three times the amount used in the Eiffel Tower. advertisementThe Chenab Bridge is a key component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and now seamlessly connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India via rail. Its construction in the young and geologically unstable Himalayan range posed numerous challenges. Located in a high seismic zone, the site required Indian Railways to undertake extensive geological and structural studies. The design was modified multiple times to endure simulated wind speeds of up to 266 km/ Roorkee conducted earthquake response modelling, ensuring the bridge could withstand earthquakes as strong as the 2001 Gujarat quake, which measured 7.7 on the Richter scale. Among the toughest hurdles was simply reaching the remote site to deliver heavy construction equipment and materials. Built by Afcons Infrastructure, a part of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, the bridge also meets high security standards. It was engineered to remain standing even if one of its 14 pillars collapses. 'The bridge can withstand a powerful explosion of up to 40 kg of TNT,' Afcons claims, adding that train services would continue—albeit at reduced speeds—even if the structure suffers damage or loses a Watch IN THIS STORY#Jammu and Kashmir
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First Post
a day ago
- Politics
- First Post
Chenab bridge opens tomorrow: Why the world's highest rail arch bridge is a big deal for India
PM Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Chenab bridge on Friday (June 6) in Jammu and Kashmir. Built at a cost of about Rs 1,400 crore between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district, the railway bridge is a part of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. Here's why it matters read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Chenab rail bridge on Friday (June 6) in Jammu and Kashmir. He will also flag off two specially designed Vande Bharat trains between Srinagar and Katra. Touted as the world's highest railway arch bridge, the Chenab rail bridge is a part of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. It could be a game-changer for India. Here's how. Chenab bridge Built at a cost of about Rs 1,400 crore between Bakkal and Kauri in J&K's Reasi district, the Chenab bridge stands 359 metres above the river bed level. It is 35 metres taller than the Paris' Eiffel Tower and roughly five times the height of Qutub Minar. The architectural marvel has been built across a gorge of the Chenab Bridge in Reasi. It is part of the all-weather railway line – USBRL – that will pass from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The construction of the Chenab bridge was greenlit in 2003. However, there were several challenges to building the bridge due to the region's harsh terrain, safety concerns and court cases. One of the biggest obstacles was to construct it without blocking the flow of the Chenab River. Engineers had to walk on foot or by mule to work on the infrastructure project during the early stages of construction. 'Logistics was another major challenge given the inaccessibility of the location and the narrow roads. Many of the components of the bridge were built and fabricated on site,' Giridhar Rajagopalan, deputy managing director of Afcons Infrastructure, told BBC. Chenab Rail Bridge, world's highest railway bridge, over the Chenab river in Reasi district, March 26, 2023. File Photo/PTI The bridge's design and construction have been done by a joint venture comprising Afcons Infrastructure, South Korea-based Ultra Construction & Engineering Company, and VSL India. With a lifespan of 120 years, the Chenab bridge can resist high-velocity winds with speeds up to 260 kmph, extreme temperatures, earthquakes, and hydrological impacts if water levels rise. The bridge, which can support trains running up to 100 km per hour, is also blast-proof as Afcons claims it can withstand high-intensity 'explosion of up to 40 kg of TNT' and trains could continue to run even if there was damage to a pillar, albiet at reduced speeds. Why Chenab bridge is a big deal for India The Chenab railway bridge will be a big strategic boost for India. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project will provide all-weather rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country. Earlier, the only land route linking the Valley to the rest of India was a 300-kilometer Srinagar-Jammu national highway. However, it has to be shut down often in winter when roads are blocked due to snowfall. Landslides also make the Jammu-Srinagar national highway inaccessible. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The rail bridge will permit the transport of military personnel and equipment around the year to the border areas,' Rajagopalan said to BBC. The Chenab rail bridge , built as part of this project, will provide a safe and reliable way of crossing the Chenab River, which is vulnerable to flash floods and landslides. Experts say the rail link could boost Kashmir's economy by facilitating trade. It will offer a hassle-free transport of goods such as apples, dry fruits, handicrafts, etc. to other parts of India. The inauguration of the Chenab rail bridge also assumes significance as it comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, wherein 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. History in the making… Just 3 days to go! The mighty #ChenabBridge, the world's highest railway bridge, stands tall in #JammuandKashmir. Part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL). Built to withstand nature's toughest tests. PM Sh @narendramodi to… — Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) June 3, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The J&K government has since tried to promote tourism, which took a hit because of the April 22 massacre. A direct train between Jammu and Srinagar would be cheaper and reduce travel time, which is likely to give a fillip to tourism. The travel time between Srinagar and Jammu will come down to between three and three-and-a-half hours from the five to six hours experienced during road travel. The Chenab rail bridge could bring not just tourists but also hope to Kashmir. With inputs from agencies
Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Train over Chenab: With PM Modi set to inaugurate it, what went into building the world's tallest railway bridge
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to flag off two specially designed Vande Bharat trains between Srinagar and Katra, marking the completion of a 42-year-old project to link Kashmir with the rest of the country via trains. Of the last stretch of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line (USBRL), the 118-km Qazigund-Baramulla section was commissioned in October 2009, followed by an 18-km stretch between Qazigund and Banihal in June 2013, Udhampur-Katra (25 kms) in July 2014 and Banihal-Sangaldan (48.1 km) stretch in February 2024. The remaining 63-km Katra-Sangaldan section is to be commissioned on June 6, and it is this section where the Prime Minister will also be inaugurating the world's highest railway bridge over Chenab. Built at a cost of around Rs 14,000 crore, the Chenab bridge is the highest rail and arch bridge in the world with a dock height of 359 meters from the river bed, 35 meters taller than Paris's iconic Eiffel Tower. A 1,315-meter steel arch and concrete structure, consisting of a 530-meter approach bridge and a 785-meter deck arch bridge (the part of the bridge on which vehicles run), it is considered India's most recent marvel in civil engineering. What were the challenges involved in its construction? Built between Bakkal and Kauri in Reasi district, the bridge falls in zone-V, a major seismic zone with a fractured geology. One of the biggest challenges was to build the bridge without obstructing the flow of the Chenab river. In the absence of any road link, carrying heavy machinery and material to the site was another big challenge. Who did what? Overseen by the Konkan Railway Corporation, the bridge's design and construction was awarded to a joint venture consisting of Afcons Infrastructure, South Korea-based Ultra Construction & Engineering Company, and VSL India. While the Finland-based WSP Group and Germany-based Leonhardt Andra and Partners designed its viaduct and foundations, and arch, respectively, the Indian Institute of Science, Banglore, prepared a design for its foundation protection. The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, analysed the slope stability. IITs Delhi and Roorkee did seismic analysis, while the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) helped in making the bridge blast-proof. How was its construction completed? The Chenab bridge was proposed in one of the most complicated and isolated terrains in India. Its deck is located on a transition curve (the part between straight and circular sections of roads) with changing radius. The bridge's construction, thus, was carried out in stages. The Steel Authority of India provided steel and a Swiss company, Mageba, supplied spherical stopper bearings for the bridge, which involved fabrication of 28,660 MT of steel for 26 km of motorable roads. The sophisticated Tekla software, which builds 3D models of buildings or infrastructure projects, was used for the bridge. What is the life of the bridge and how safe is it? It is designed to have a lifespan of 120 years and handle train speeds upto 100 km per hour. It can withstand earthquakes up to a magnitude of 8 on the Richter Scale, besides high-intensity explosions equivalent to 40 tonnes of TNT. Its steel structure can withstand temperatures up to -20 degree C and wind speeds up to 266 km per hour. Even after the removal of one pier, it will remain in operation at a restricted speed of 30 km per hour.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chenab Rail Bridge to bring Delhi and Kashmir closer
The Chenab Rail bridge is all set to be inaugurated on June 6 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after 'Operation Sindoor'. The railway bridge, which is also the world's highest, has been built over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. As per the government, this bridge will be a key part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project in the union territory. The railway bridge has been designed by WSP. As per the Canadian-based engineering firm, the Chenab Railway Bridge is the world's highest and longest steel arch bridge. The Chenab bridge has a total length of 1315 metres. "The free span length of the bridge is 467 m measured from the surface of the river below, the height of the bridge deck is 350m," states WSP. As per the engineering firm, the bridge was constructed with 27,000 tonnes of steel. The bridge was constructed through a joint venture between Indian companies Afcons Infrastructure, VSL India, and South Korean company Ultra Construction. Apart from being a key part of the USBRL railway project, the Chenab bridge will also bring Delhi closer to Kashmir. The bridge is situated 600 km North of New Delhi and aims to connect the Kashmir valley with the rest of India through a railway network. With its inauguration set for later this week, the rail link will also work to revive tourism in the valley, especially after the Pahalgam attack on April 22, which has led to a reduction in tourist footfall in the valley. On April 22, a terror attack in Pahalgam's Baisaran meadow, killed 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen. Following the terror attack, the tourism industry faced a major setback as many fled the union territory. Over a month after the attack, efforts to revive tourism in the valley remain ongoing, especially due to the contribution tourist activity holds for Kashmir's economy. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently conducted a cabinet meeting in Pahalgam as part of the state government's effort to revive tourism.
Business Standard
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Afcons Infrastructure receives LoA for water supply project of Rs 463 cr
Afcons Infrastructure has received the Letter of Award for a water supply project worth Rs 463.50 crore from Office Of Additional Chief Engineer P.H.E.D Project Region Udaipur. The project entails water supply to 353 villages (chikhli, Simalwara, Jonthary & Galiyakot block) of District Dungarpur from Kadana Back Water (Mahi Dam) Package -1 (intake well, WTP and entire transmission system up to OHSR's) under JJM with O&M for Ten (10) Years after Defect Liability Period of One (1) Year. Powered by Capital Market - Live News
