PM Modi inaugurates world’s tallest Chenab rail bridge, flags off Vande Bharat trains in J&K
PTC Web Desk: In a landmark event for India’s railway infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the world’s tallest railway bridge, constructed across the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir. This monumental structure is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) and is now a critical link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country via rail for the first time.
After arriving at the Udhampur Air Force station, PM Modi was airlifted to the Chenab bridge site where he officially dedicated the engineering marvel to the nation. This visit also marked his first trip to Jammu and Kashmir since Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam Terror Attack in April that claimed 26 lives.
Standing as a global symbol of engineering excellence, the Chenab railway bridge has set a new benchmark as the highest railway arch bridge in the world, towering over the Chenab river and reinforcing India’s capabilities in high-altitude infrastructure development.
Following the inauguration, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to unveil India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge—Anji Bridge, another key component of the USBRL project that enhances connectivity in the region.
Adding to the day’s significant milestones, PM Modi will flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, making the entire 272-km USBRL corridor operational.
Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 43,780 crore, the USBRL project includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges, designed to provide all-weather rail access to Jammu and Kashmir. The completion of the corridor is being hailed as a transformative step toward regional development and national integration.
Speaking at the event, PM Modi emphasised that the railway link would revolutionise mobility, bring economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for the people of the region.
- With inputs from agencies
