India Unveils the World’s Highest Rail Bridge Built as Part of a $5.5 Billion Mega Project and It’s an Engineering Marvel You Must See

In what is being hailed as a monumental moment for Indian infrastructure, the Indian Prime Minister inaugurated the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge, during a landmark visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Standing taller than the Eiffel Tower and part of a massive ₹46,000 crore (approx. $5.5 billion USD) infrastructure push, this achievement isn’t just a symbol of engineering brilliance—it’s a transformative leap in connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India.

The Chenab Bridge, rising 359 meters (1,177 feet) above the riverbed and stretching over 1.3 kilometers, is now officially the tallest railway bridge in the world. Built at a cost of ₹1,486 crore, it took over two decades of precise planning, international collaboration, and sheer grit to complete. Its height exceeds the Eiffel Tower by 35 meters and it’s designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 266 km/h, major earthquakes, and extreme Himalayan weather conditions.

During the inauguration, Indian PM Narendra Modi called the project a dream come true and emphasized its strategic and economic importance: “Now, Kashmir’s apples will reach bigger markets at lower costs and on time.” He also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Katra to Srinagar, reducing travel time significantly and promising smooth connectivity even during the harshest winters.

This project is part of the 272-km-long Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a game-changer for the region that includes 36 tunnels, 943 bridges, and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji Khad. The rail line now offers all-weather, seamless connectivity through mountainous terrain, allowing not only faster transportation of goods like Pashmina shawls and Kashmiri apples but also boosting tourism and pilgrim travel.

Modi’s visit to the region was his first since Operation Sindoor, a military response to a recent terror attack. It underlined the Indian government’s commitment to long-term peace and development in a historically conflict-prone region. The Prime Minister also took time to meet engineers and workers who had dedicated years of effort to the project’s success, praising their dedication in making what he called “one of India’s greatest civil-engineering achievements.”

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also praised the efforts, stating that even the British during colonial rule couldn’t bring rail to Kashmir, but today, thanks to this effort, the region has entered a new era of modern connectivity. “What once felt like a distant dream has now become a living reality,” he said.

The new Vande Bharat Express trains are also packed with state-of-the-art features like silicon heating pads, bio-toilets, anti-spall protection, and an auto-draining mechanism that ensures uninterrupted service even in sub-zero temperatures. With this development, India not only strengthens its transport network but also showcases its growing capability to take on complex infrastructure challenges on a global scale.