The tallest railway bridge in the world is set to become operational, boasting advanced safety features including 120 sensors and 150 servers in a state-of-the-art control room, a senior Indian Railways official has said.
Standing at 359 metres (about 1,178 feet) above the Chenab River, the Chenab Rail Bridge surpasses the Eiffel Tower's height by approximately 35 metres, making it the highest railway bridge globally.
Deepak Kumar, chief public relations officer of Northern Railways, told reporters that the bridge is equipped with over 100 sensors, a 780-metre-long blast protection platform, and a cutting-edge control room with 150 servers.
"The 780-metre-long blast protection platform is mounted on the surface of the Chenab Bridge to absorb impact during train operations.
Additionally, 120 sensors are installed to continuously monitor the structural health of the arch bridge, ensuring safety around the clock," he said.
Topographically, geologically, and tectonically, the project presents numerous challenges, Kumar noted. "Being hilly areas, the wind velocity can vary from time to time, and it is essential for the Indian Railways to keep a close watch on the wind speed," he added.
Situated between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu, the bridge is a crucial link in the Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project.
The Kashmir rail link project also includes India's longest tunnel (T-49) at 12.77 km. Globally renowned tunnelling experts are involved in the project's tunnelling works. Approximately 12 lakh cubic meters of earth were excavated for the massive structure over the Chenab River.
After a two-decade wait since its approval in 2003, the Chenab Bridge faced delays due to stability concerns. The construction contract was awarded in 2008, and track laying began in February 2023.
Now, the Chenab Rail Bridge has entered its operational phase. About 30,350 metric tonnes of steel were used to construct the 1,315-meter-long bridge, with 10,620 metric tonnes for the arch and 14,504 metric tonnes for the bridge deck.
On June 19, Indian Railways conducted a successful trial run across the newly constructed Chenab Rail Bridge, marking a significant step in connecting Kashmir to the national rail network.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the achievement on social media, stating, "Successful trial run of MEMU train between Sangaldan – Reasi section of USBRL project. Jammu & Kashmir."
Follow us
