Top 10 beyond-the-track facts about world’s highest railway bridge on J&K’s Chenab river

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's will on Friday flag off the much-awaited Kashmir rail link and inaugurate multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore in Katra.

Top facts about bridge

Towers 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the Chenab river — 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower.

Also read: PM Modi inaugurates world’s highest railway bridge over Chenab in J&K

An engineering marvel, Kashmir’s Vande Bharat Express is a cold-weather powerhouse

Before the Chenab Bridge, there was this ride with panoramic views

Rs 660 starting fare as Vande Bharat chugs off on first Katra-Srinagar trip tomorrow

Stretching 272 kilometres through the rugged Himalayas, the project has been built for Rs 43,780 crore.

The project includes 36 tunnels that span 119 kilometres and 943 bridges that knit together valleys, ridges, and mountain passes

India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge 

Built over the deep gorge of the Anji River; a pioneering design in Indian rail history.

Massive bridge network

943 bridges in total, connecting valleys, ridges, and mountain passes across the rugged terrain.

Extreme engineering conditions

Constructed in a high seismic zone with extreme temperatures, complex geology, and harsh weather.

High-altitude construction

Many bridges are built in remote, snow-covered Himalayan regions, requiring helicopters and cable-crane systems for material delivery.

Steel & concrete marvels

Bridges use specialised corrosion-resistant steel and high-grade concrete to endure environmental challenges.

Longest railway arch bridge span in the world

The Chenab Bridge features a 467-meter-long steel arch — the longest for a railway bridge globally.

Bridge safety technology

Equipped with advanced monitoring systems (wind sensors, seismic detectors) to ensure structural health and passenger safety.

Strategic & civilian importance

Bridges ensure year-round access, replacing the frequently shut Srinagar-Jammu highway.

Engineering excellence

These bridges represent India's engineering and are considered among the most complex infrastructure feats.