PM Modi Inaugurates World’s Tallest Railway Arch Bridge in J&K, Completes Kashmir Rail Link

PM Modi Inaugurates World’s Tallest Railway Arch Bridge in J&K, Completes Kashmir Rail Link

In a landmark development for infrastructure and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge—the world’s tallest railway arch bridge—on Thursday. The event marks the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a crucial project aimed at integrating Kashmir with India’s national railway grid.

During his visit to the Union Territory, PM Modi also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains, inaugurated the Anji cable-stayed railway bridge, and launched a slew of road infrastructure and healthcare projects worth thousands of crores, significantly enhancing last-mile connectivity and regional development.

World’s Tallest Railway Bridge on Chenab River

The highlight of the visit was the inspection and inauguration of the Chenab Rail Bridge, an engineering marvel towering 359 meters above the Chenab River, surpassing even the Eiffel Tower in height. Stretching across a 1.3-kilometer span in the rugged Reasi district, the bridge has been hailed as a symbol of India’s engineering prowess in the face of extreme Himalayan terrain and seismic challenges.

PM Modi, waving the Tiranga over the newly commissioned bridge, described it as a “monument to national unity and progress” and praised the dedication of engineers, workers, and Indian Railways in completing the ambitious project.

First Cable-Stayed Railway Bridge at Anji

Alongside the Chenab Bridge, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, constructed over the Anji River in Reasi district. With its sleek design and advanced technology, the Anji Bridge overcomes challenging terrain and high wind velocity, enabling safer and more stable rail transit.

USBRL: Kashmir Finally Connected by Rail

The inauguration of these bridges and associated infrastructure signifies the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). The project, spanning over two decades, is now fully operational—establishing direct railway connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of India.

Here is a breakdown of USBRL’s phased completion:

• Qazigund to Baramulla (118 km): Opened in October 2009
• Banihal to Qazigund (18 km): Opened in June 2013
• Udhampur to Katra (25 km): Opened in July 2014
• Banihal to Sangaldan (48.1 km): Opened in February 2023
• Sangaldan to Reasi (46 km): Completed in June 2023
• Reasi to Katra (17 km): Finished in December 2024

This massive project was riddled with topographical, climatic, and geological challenges, but its completion is seen as a strategic and developmental milestone for the region.

Security in Spotlight Post Operation Sindoor

This marks PM Modi’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since the Indian Armed Forces’ Operation Sindoor, and the region was under a multi-tier security blanket during his visit. The high-profile inauguration signals both infrastructural progress and the government’s focus on consolidating peace and development in the border state.

Boost to Road Infrastructure and Medical Facilities

In addition to rail connectivity, PM Modi launched several road infrastructure projects valued at over ₹1,952 crore:

• Widening of Rafiabad-Kupwara road (NH-701)
• Construction of Shopian bypass (NH-444)
• Inauguration of two flyovers: Sangrama Junction (NH-1) and Bemina Junction (NH-44)

These projects are designed to ease traffic congestion, promote trade, and enhance mobility in remote and strategic regions.

Further, the PM laid the foundation stone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra. With a project value of over ₹350 crore, this will be the first medical college in Reasi district, providing state-of-the-art healthcare and boosting employment in the region.