The Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway project is a railway line under construction in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The project aims to connect the Kashmir Valley to the Indian railway network, which will improve connectivity, provide an all-weather transport system, and boost economic development in the region. The railway line will pass through the Himalayas and will feature several major bridges and tunnels, including the Chenab Bridge, which will be the highest rail bridge in the world.
The project was announced in 2002, and construction began in 2003. The first section of the line, between Jammu and Udhampur, was inaugurated in April 2005. The second section, between Udhampur and Katra, was opened in July 2014. The third section, between Qazigund and Banihal, was inaugurated in June 2013. The remaining sections of the line, between Banihal and Srinagar, and between Srinagar and Baramulla, are still under construction and are expected to be completed by 2022. Once completed, the railway line will be a major achievement in Indian engineering and will provide an important link between Kashmir and the rest of India.
The Chenab Bridge, also known as the Chenab Arch Bridge, is a railway bridge under construction in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. Once completed, it will be the highest rail bridge in the world, with a height of 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the Chenab River. The bridge is being built as part of the Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway project, which aims to connect the Kashmir Valley to the Indian railway network. The construction of the bridge began in 2004 and is expected to be completed in 2022. The bridge is considered a major engineering feat and is expected to be a major tourist attraction once completed.
The bridge is designed as an arch bridge, with a main span of 467 meters (1,532 feet). The arch is made up of steel trusses, which are supported by concrete piers on either side of the river. The bridge is being constructed using state-of-the-art technology, including advanced computer modeling and simulation techniques to ensure its safety and stability.
One of the main challenges of constructing the bridge is the harsh terrain and difficult weather conditions in the region. The construction site is located in a seismic zone, and the bridge must be able to withstand high winds and extreme temperatures. To address these challenges, the bridge is being built with a number of innovative features, such as a concrete-filled steel arch that is designed to be highly resistant to bending and deformation.
Overall, the Chenab Arch Bridge is a testament to the skill and ingenuity of Indian engineers and is expected to become an important landmark in the region once completed.
