The Chenab river bridge is the latest buzz in India. The reason: It’s slated to be the highest railway bridge in the world. The 1.3 kilometer long river bridge build on river Chenab in Jammu & Kashmir is being constructed at the height of 359 meters above sea level. To our surprise its elevation is 30 meters higher than Paris’s iconic Eiffel Tower. Once completed, it’ll be yet another feather on the already colorful cap of India.
This bridge project is a joint venture of VSL, Ultra companies and AFCONS Construction Company.
The Indian railways had proposed a railway line by the name ‘Katra-Banihal railway line’ for the bridge. The railway line is under development in Kauri village (Reasi district). The department has finished up to 66% work in this project. The bridge is likely to complete by June 2019. The project is swiftly progressing towards completion—all thanks to 300 engineers and 1,300 workers deployed at the construction site. Workers work round-the-clock to finish this project before the year end.
According to Konkan Railway chief engineer Mr. R.K. Singh, the bridge will be constructed at the cost of Rs. 1,250 crores.
It’s to be noted that the construction of Chenab River Bridge started back in 2004, during Congress rule. However, the project was temporarily ceased in 2008-2009, considering the safety aspects. The region surrounding river Chenab is a noted for high-velocity winds that could impose a threat to the safety of railway passengers.
The Indian Railway officers wanted to find an alternate site for bridge construction. Nevertheless, they decided to raise the elevation of the bridge rather than picking an alternate site for the project. The authorities have set up an anemometer (an automatic signaling system to measure the wind velocity in this region). When the wind velocity goes beyond 90 km/hr, the railway authorities will stop all train operations.
Mr. Singh claims that the bridge can withstand high-velocity winds up to 260 km/hr. The average lifespan of the bridge is calculated as 120 years. Other than the bridge, the department is constructing 3 lengthy tunnels T2, T3 and T14 of various lengths—5.9 kilometers, 9.369 kilometers and 13 kilometers respectively.
What is Unique about River Chenab Bridge?
- A special crane from Italy (costing Rs. 20 crores) was called to manage construction material at site. It’ll stay there near the bridge for maintenance works.
- About 80% of the entire bridge will pass through tunnels that are under construction.
- River Chenab Railway Bridge is the 7th largest arch-shaped bridge in the world, without any support on either of its sides.
- Perched at the height of 133 meters above sea level, the bridge is supported by trusses and piers.
- The government invited experts from various fields—IIT and IISC professors, Danish construction firm, UK-based consultants and local engineers to be a part of this project.
If all goes well, the bridge will complete before 2020. We might see the first train running between Srinagar-Udhampur, on this bridge by the year end.
