Chenab Rail Bridge

Context:

Indian Railways today completed the Arch closure of the iconic Chenab Bridge.

Key Highlights

Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project (USBRL),
This achievement is a major leap towards the completion of the 111 k.m. long winding stretch from Katra to Banihal.
In November 2017 the base supports were declared completed allowing for the start of the construction of the main arch
This completed the shape of the arch that will then loom over the treacherous Chenab, flowing some 359 metres below.

Salient Features of the Arch of the iconic Chenab Bridge:

Indian Railways is constructing the iconic Arch Bridge on River Chenab as a part of the USBRL project to connect the Kashmir valley to the rest of the nation.
This bridge is 1315m long.
This is the highest Railway Bridge in the world being 359m above the river bed level.
It will be 35 meters higher than the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris (France).

Unique Features of This Bridge:

Bridge designed to withstand high wind speed up to 266 Km/Hour.
Bridge designed for blast load in consultation with DRDO for the first time in India.
Bridge will remain operational at restricted speed of 30 Km/Hour even after removal of one pier/trestle.
Bridge designed to bear earthquake forces of highest intensity zone-V in India.
First time on Indian Railways, Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing machine used for testing of welds.
First time on Indian Railways, NABL accredited lab established at site for weld testing.
Approx. 584Km welding done to join the different parts of structure, which is to the tune of distance between Jammu Tawi to New Delhi.
Height of cable crane’s pylon at Srinagar End is 127m, which is much taller than Qutub Minar of 72m.
Launching of curved viaduct portion done for first time on Indian Railways using End Launching Method.
Extensive health monitoring and warning systems planned through state of art instrumentation.

Source: PIB