Reasi (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the world's highest railway arch bridge built on the Chenab river in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The features and the height of the Chenab Railway Bridge make it a historic milestone for the Indian Railways.

In a social media post on X, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a mesmerising video of the bridge and captioned it, 'Sapne nahi, hakiqat bunte hai.' (We don't dream, we weave reality...)

https://x.com/AshwiniVaishnaw/status/1930802966660845998

The architectural marvel Chenab Rail Bridge, situated at a height of 359 meters above the river, is the world's highest railway arch bridge. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions.

A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. The Vande Bharat train will now take about 3 hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing the existing travel time by 2-3 hours.

The bridge is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project in Jammu and Kashmir.

The iconic Chenab Railway Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, is part of Katra-to-Sangaldan stretch, connecting New Delhi directly with Kashmir via Katra. Situated in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chenab Bridge is an engineering marvel standing at a height of 359 meters above the riverbed. It will officially connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India via rail for the first time in history.

The project, part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), faced numerous engineering and logistical challenges due to the region's difficult terrain and seismic sensitivity. Yet, after years of meticulous work, the bridge now stands as a testament to India's technological prowess and commitment to inclusive development.

It marks a transformative chapter in India's infrastructural landscape, promising greater connectivity, economic growth, and social integration in the region. (ANI)