New Delhi (NVI): In a historic achievement, the Indian Railways today completed the arch closure of the iconic Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge at a height of 359 metres above the bed of Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chenab bridge, which is a part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project (USBRL), set an important construction milestone today with completion of the steel arch of the iconic Chenab Bridge, the Ministry of Railways said in a statement.
This was one of the most difficult part of the bridge over Chenab, the Ministry said, adding that this achievement is a major leap towards the completion of the 111 km long winding stretch from Katra to Banihal.
“It is arguably the biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history,” Railway Ministry said.
The 5.6-metre last piece of metal was fitted at the highest point today and joined the two arms of the arch that currently stretch towards each other from both the banks of the river. This completed the shape of the arch that will then loom over the treacherous Chenab, flowing some 359 metres below, the Ministry said in an official statement.
After completion of the arch work, removal of the stay cables, filling of the concrete in the arch rib, erection of the steel trestle, launching of the viaduct and track laying work will be taken up, it said.
On the occasion, Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal took to Twitter and said this is a moment of pride for India. He also shared a small video, showing the construction of bridge at a challenging height and the dedication of Railways engineers and workers who created the marvel.
“A moment of pride for ??! The arch of Chenab bridge, connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari has been completed. With an arch span of 467m, it is the world’s highest railway bridge. PM @NarendraModi ji’s vision to connect India has inspired the Railway family to scale new heights,” Goyal tweeted.
A moment of pride for ??! The arch of Chenab bridge, connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari has been completed.
With an arch span of 467m, it is the world’s highest railway bridge.
PM @NarendraModi ji’s vision to connect India has inspired the Railway family to scale new heights pic.twitter.com/GEDEBIb9nE
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 5, 2021
BJP MP from Rajasthan and former Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore also tweeted on the big development, saying that the bridge is an engineering marvel and will directly connect Kanyakumari with Kashmir via rail link.
“The Chenab rail bridge — an engineering marvel — is now one step closer to completion. This bridge will directly connect Kanyakumari with Kashmir via rail link. Under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, #IndianRailways has been achieving new milestones,” he tweeted.
The Chenab rail bridge — an engineering marvel — is now one step closer to completion.
This bridge will directly connect Kanyakumari with Kashmir via rail link.
Under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, #IndianRailways has been achieving new milestones. https://t.co/D0DCH0RCmp
— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) April 5, 2021
-ARK
