Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district today, a major milestone for India’s railway network. Spanning 1,315 meters and rising 359 meters above the Chenab River, this steel arch bridge, the world’s highest of its kind, towers 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. Constructed for ₹1,486 crore by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited, in collaboration with Ultra Construction, VSL India, and Afcons Infrastructure, the bridge is built to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 8 and winds reaching 266 km/h. As a critical component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, it enhances connectivity across the region. Union Minister Jitendra Singh described the inauguration as "history in the making," calling the bridge a "proud symbol of New India's strength and vision."
PM @narendramodi inaugurates Anji Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir @PMOIndia https://t.co/Cb461t4u32
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) June 6, 2025
Modi also launched the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, designed to strengthen rail infrastructure in the rugged Himalayan terrain. He flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains linking Katra’s Mata Vaishno Devi shrine with Srinagar, cutting travel time to approximately three hours, a reduction of 2-3 hours from current schedules. The 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project, costing ₹43,780 crore and featuring 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, was dedicated to the nation, ensuring year-round rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of India.
PM @narendramodi Ji inaugurated the world’s highest railway arch bridge - Chenab bridge & India’s first cable stayed railway bridge-Anji bridge.
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) June 6, 2025
📍Jammu & Kashmir pic.twitter.com/DdI3khkVdL
Further boosting regional infrastructure, Modi laid foundation stones for road projects, including the widening of the Rafiabad-Kupwara road on NH-701, the Shopian bypass on NH-444, and flyovers at Sangrama and Bemina junctions to improve local connectivity. He also initiated the ₹350 crore Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, set to become Reasi’s first medical college, enhancing healthcare access in the region. These events, held on June 6, 2025, mark a transformative moment for Jammu and Kashmir.
In light of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, a multi-layered security framework, involving the Special Protection Group (SPG), Indian Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and local police, ensured safety during the events. The Chenab Bridge, a marvel of modern engineering, sets the stage for improved connectivity and economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
BI Bureau
