The world’s highest railway bridge, an engineering marvel, connects Kashmir to the rest of India, overcoming steep Himalayan slopes with grit, innovation, and equine allies.
Katra, Jammu & Kashmir – The Chenab Bridge, inaugurated on June 6, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stands as a testament to India’s engineering prowess, linking Kashmir to Kanyakumari by rail. Nestled 359 meters above the Chenab River—35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower—this iconic structure faced formidable challenges, including navigating the Himalayas’ steep slopes. With no initial road access, the project team relied on horses and mules to transport materials, showcasing resilience in one of the toughest terrains.
Taming the Himalayas
The construction, led by Afcons Infrastructure Limited, began with a logistical nightmare. “The site was surrounded by near-vertical slopes, inaccessible by vehicles,” said a company spokesperson. Mules and horses became the lifeline, ferrying equipment until temporary roads were carved out. Over time, an 11-km road on the north bank and a 12-km road on the south were built, enabling heavy machinery access. The Himalayas’ unstable slopes required massive consolidation grouting to stabilize the foundation for the bridge’s colossal arch, a process described as “taming the ancient mountains.”
Engineering Feats and Innovations
The bridge’s construction employed cutting-edge techniques. The world’s tallest crossbar cable cranes lifted materials to dizzying heights, while the arch was erected using cantilever construction. On April 5, 2021, the arch’s two halves met at the crown, marking a historic milestone. “It was a moment of triumph, symbolizing India’s resolve,” said Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Executive Vice Chairman, Afcons. The viaduct’s deck launching was another first, executed on a transition curve and longitudinal gradient simultaneously, a feat unprecedented in Indian Railways.
Quality and Precision
To ensure uncompromised quality, Afcons established a National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration (NABL)-accredited laboratory on-site, a first for Indian Railways. “Every bolt, every weld was tested rigorously,” noted Giridhar Rajagopalan, Deputy Managing Director, Afcons. This meticulous approach ensured the bridge’s structural integrity, designed to withstand seismic activity and extreme weather, with a lifespan exceeding 120 years, according to a 2023 Indian Railways study.
A Symbol of Unity
The Chenab Bridge, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), reduces travel time between Katra and Srinagar to under four hours, boosting tourism and trade. “This bridge is more than infrastructure; it’s a symbol of national unity,” said S Paramasivan, Managing Director, Afcons. During the inauguration, PM Modi, holding the Tricolour, walked the bridge and traveled by rail engine, celebrating its significance. A 2024 report by the Ministry of Railways projects the USBRL will increase Jammu & Kashmir’s GDP contribution by 1.2% over the next decade.
Global Recognition
The bridge has garnered international acclaim. A 2025 study by the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering hailed it as “a benchmark for high-altitude railway construction.” Its completion aligns with India’s ambition to modernize its rail network, with Vande Bharat trains now connecting Katra to Srinagar, offering passengers scenic Himalayan views. “This is Indian engineering at its zenith,” Subramanian added, echoing national pride.
