Marking a historic milestone in India’s infrastructure journey, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Chenab railway bridge, the world’s highest rail bridge. This visit marks his first trip to Jammu and Kashmir following Operation Sindoor, a cross-border military strike in wake of April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
After landing at the Air Force station in Udhampur, PM Modi flew to the Chenab bridge site to formally inaugurate the railway bridge. The Prime Minister also spoke with chief minister Omar Abdullah, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and union minister Jitendra Singh while viewing an exhibition on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
PM Modi also interacted with engineers, workers, and officials who were involved in the execution of the ambitious project that connects Kashmir to the rest of India by rail. The iconic structure is built across the Chenab River and is part of the USBRL project.
Following the inauguration of the Chenab railway bridge, Modi also inaugurated the Anji bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, further enhancing connectivity in the region.
He also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, completing the full 272-km USBRL stretch.
About the Chenab railway bridge
The world’s highest railway arch bridge is 359 metres above the riverbed and 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower.
The USBRL project, built at an estimated cost of ₹43,780 crore, features 36 tunnels stretching 119 km and 943 bridges. It offers all-weather rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of India. The completion of this mega project is seen as a turning point for regional development and national integration.
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