35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower: India Unveils the World’s Highest Single-Arch Railway Bridge in Kashmir
35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower: India Unveils the World's Highest Single-Arch Railway Bridge in Kashmir
Spanning the Chenab River, this iconic bridge is not just an engineering triumph, but a symbol of national unity, strength, and connectivity.
India has officially opened the world’s highest single-arch railway bridge in the scenic region of Jammu and Kashmir, a groundbreaking achievement that has not only redefined railway engineering but is also set to transform travel and logistics in the region. The Chenab Rail Bridge, standing 359 metres above the riverbed, towers 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower and marks a significant milestone in the nation’s infrastructure journey.
Bridging More Than Just a River
This colossal steel structure is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) — a 272-km-long all-weather railway corridor that will connect the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India by train for the first time. Built across some of the most challenging Himalayan terrain, the bridge was conceived as both a lifeline and a statement of technical excellence.
Key Highlights of the Chenab Bridge
- Height: 359 metres (1,178 feet) above the Chenab River — the tallest railway arch bridge globally.
- Length: 1,315 metres (4,314 feet) long, with a single arch span held by two towering supports.
- Engineering Precision: Constructed with 584 kilometres of welds, equivalent to the rail length from Jammu to Delhi.
- Structural Endurance: Can withstand wind speeds up to 260 kmph and temperatures from -10°C to 40°C.
- Lifespan: Engineered to last at least 120 years.
- Cost: Completed at a total cost of ₹1,486 crore.
The bridge took over two decades to build, reflecting the complex challenges of constructing in a high seismic zone, steep gorges, and unpredictable weather. Engineers used advanced tools such as ‘Tekla’ software for structural modelling and detailing allowing precision and innovation to work hand in hand.
Unlike conventional bridges, a single-arch design like this one balances immense loads using a single, sweeping arch, a feat of geometry and resilience. Special high-strength steel, adapted to the region’s climatic extremes, was used to ensure long-term stability.
The Chenab Bridge is more than just a technological marvel; it’s a lifeline for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It paves the way for economic integration, tourism growth, and social inclusion by reducing travel time dramatically. With the Vande Bharat Express set to run on this line, travel from Katra to Srinagar will now take just about three hours, cutting journey time by almost half.
It also opens the valley to year-round connectivity, no longer hostage to landslides or snow-blocked mountain roads offering both strategic advantage and social transformation.
From concept to completion, the Chenab Rail Bridge showcases India’s engineering might, political will, and vision for a connected future. It’s not just a bridge; it’s a story of ambition, innovation, and unity, welded together, kilometre by kilometre.
As trains begin to glide across this soaring arc, what once seemed impossible now stands as a testament to India’s resolve to bridge gaps both literal and metaphorical.
