In a major infrastructure push for Jammu & Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Bridge, the world’s tallest railway arch, standing 359 metres above the Chenab River.
Alongside, he launched development initiatives worth ₹46,000 crore, flagged off Vande Bharat trains on the USBRL line, and opened the Anji cable-stayed bridge and a new medical institute in Katra.
These projects aim to improve strategic connectivity, boost tourism, enable faster travel, and provide better healthcare access in the region.
Project Timeline and Completion
SBRL Total Length: 272 km (Udhampur to Baramulla)
Key milestones
- Qazigund-Baramulla (118 km): Commissioned in Oct 2009
- Qazigund-Banihal (18 km): June 2013
- Udhampur-Katra (25 km): July 2014
- Banihal-Sangaldan (48.1 km): Feb 2024
- Chenab Bridge inaugurated: June 2025
Highlights of the Chenab Rail Bridge
- Height: 359 meters (higher than the Eiffel Tower)
- Span: 467 meters (arch span)
- Design: Steel and concrete arch
Features
- Designed to withstand high seismic activity and wind speeds
- Built in challenging Himalayan terrain with 36 tunnels and 943 bridges
- Electrified line to promote green, efficient transportation
- Built over Chenab River, a major Indus tributary
