PM Modi to Inaugurate World’s Highest Railway Bridge and Launch Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Chenab Rail Bridge—the world’s highest railway bridge—on June 6, 2025, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, according to an official announcement by Union Minister Jitendra Singh on X (formerly Twitter). Alongside this historic event, he will also flag off the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, marking the first-ever direct rail link between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India.

The bridge, a 359-metre-high steel arch structure soaring above the Chenab River, surpasses the Eiffel Tower in height. It will form a critical section of the 272-kilometre-long Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), establishing for the first time a direct train link between Kashmir Valley and the rest of India. The high-altitude marvel integrates 36 tunnels covering 119 kilometres and nearly 1,000 bridges, demonstrating engineering excellence in one of the most seismically sensitive zones in the subcontinent.

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… pic.twitter.com/EQnC0m1per

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) June 3, 2025

Union Minister Jitendra Singh hailed the moment as “history in the making”, stating, “The mighty Chenab Bridge… stands tall in Jammu and Kashmir.”

The project, plagued by extreme topographical challenges and delays, required 30,000 metric tonnes of steel and features engineering innovations like a wind resistance of over 250 km/h. The base foundation, known as S20, covers nearly one-third the size of a football field, showcasing the massive scale and ambition of the initiative.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh hailed the moment as “history in the making”, stating, “The mighty Chenab Bridge… stands tall in Jammu and Kashmir.”

The project, plagued by extreme topographical challenges and delays, required 30,000 metric tonnes of steel and features engineering innovations like a wind resistance of over 250 km/h. The base foundation, known as S20, covers nearly one-third the size of a football field, showcasing the massive scale and ambition of the initiative.

Chenab Rail Bridge: Engineering Marvel

• The Chenab Bridge is a central component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, which aims to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country by rail for the first time.
• Standing 359 meters above the riverbed, the bridge surpasses the height of the Eiffel Tower by 35 meters, making it the highest railway bridge in the world.
• The bridge stretches 1,315 meters in length, with a free span of 467 meters, and was constructed using over 27,000 tonnes of steel.
• Built to withstand seismic activity, harsh weather, and extreme temperatures, it is considered one of the most significant civil engineering challenges in Indian rail history.
• The bridge’s completion marks a transformative milestone, promising enhanced connectivity, economic growth, and social integration for the region.

Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express: Boosting Connectivity

• The Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar will be the first train service to connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, a move expected to significantly boost tourism and economic activity in the region.
• The train features adaptations for the region’s climate, including heating systems, anti-spall coatings, and automatic doors to ensure smooth operations during harsh winters.
• The Katra-Srinagar link is part of a 272-kilometer rail corridor that includes 119 kilometers of tunnels and iconic structures like the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges, built at a total investment of ₹42,930 crore.

Significance for Kashmir

• The inauguration comes at a crucial time, following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which impacted tourism and economic activity in the valley.
• The new rail link is seen as a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to the region’s development and security, and as a catalyst for reviving tourism and economic progress.
• The project’s completion is expected to make travel to Kashmir more accessible, reduce travel time from Delhi, and integrate the valley more closely with the rest of India.

Summary Table: Key Facts

This dual inauguration represents a landmark in India’s infrastructure development, symbolizing resilience, technological prowess, and a renewed push for integration and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.

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