
In a landmark achievement, Indian Railways has successfully conducted a trial run of an eight-coach Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train on the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge, located in Jammu & Kashmir. This engineering marvel is set to boost tourism, development & connectivity in Kashmir Valley.
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Indian Railways successfully conducted a trial run of an eight-coach MEMU train on the world’s highest railway bridge ‘Chenab’ in Jammu and Kashmir, paving the way for the start of rail service on the route from Reasi to Baramulla. The Chenab Bridge, an engineering marvel, stands as a testament to India’s infrastructural prowess and commitment to enhancing connectivity in the region. This momentous trial paves the way for the commencement of rail services on the route from Reasi to Baramulla in the scenic Kashmir Valley.
Salient Features of Highest Railway Bridge on River Chenab:
- The much-awaited world’s highest railway bridge spans the Chenab River at a height of 359 m (1,178 ft) above the river, which is 35 metres taller than Paris’ Eiffel Tower.
- The arch bridge between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir is 1,178 feet above the riverbed, forming a crucial link from Katra to Banihal. It is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), a dream project worth Rs 35000 crore.
- The railway bridge, on completion, is expected to connect Anantnag, Pulwama, Sopian, Badgam, Srinagar and Baramulla districts of Jammu & Kashmir state to the Railway network.
- The people of Jammu and Kashmir will get the bridge after two decades of waiting since the project was approved in 2003 but was delayed shortly due to fears of stability and safety. In the year 2008, the contract for constructing one of the highest railway bridges was awarded.
- The bridge will be able to withstand winds with speeds up to 260 kmph and will have a lifespan of 120 years. The construction of the highest railway bridge was the biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history.
- Over the last three years, engineers have been building the arch with the help of two mammoth cable cranes installed on both banks of the Chenab — the Kauri end and the Bakkal end.
- Special quality structural steel is being used in the construction of the bridge involving a very high degree of precision and latest welding technology. Special painting scheme is being used for the arch portion which is designed considering a number of additional parameters such as fatigue, seismic effect, blast load, global stability and composite action.
- Various latest safety measures like measuring wind velocity, ground acceleration in case of earthquake, temperature monitor etc. are also used.
The Construction of Bridge was Divided in Four Parts:
- Construction of Arch Portion (S-10 to S-70)
- Construction of Viaduct Portion (S-80 to S-180)
- Slope Stabilisation – Bakkal end and
- Slope stabilisation – Kauri end.
The successful trial run conducted by Indian Railways on the Chenab bridge will open the doors of robust connectivity for the people of Jammu & Kashmir and will stand as testament of Indian Railways’ prowess for executing the most complex and world class engineering projects in a professional and reliable way.
Source: PIB | Images Credit: Western Railway
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