Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, Friday, June 6, 2025, inaugurated the Chenab Railway Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. The Prime Minister had earlier inspected the bridge, built on the Chenab River, and subsequently met with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Union MoS Jitendra Singh. He also engaged with the workers involved in the USBRL project.
During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi dedicated the entire 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation. This project, costing approximately Rs 43,780 crore, features 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges, including the Chenab Railway Bridge. The USBRL project aims to provide all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, significantly enhancing regional mobility and socio-economic integration.
The Chenab Railway Bridge, an architectural marvel, stands 359 meters above the river and spans 1,315 meters. This steel arch bridge is engineered to withstand seismic activity and strong winds. The Prime Minister also highlighted the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, which is part of this challenging terrain.
A key highlight of the inauguration was the flagging off of two Vande Bharat Express trains on the USBRL. One of these trains will operate between Katra and Srinagar, drastically reducing travel time between the two locations to about 3 hours, a saving of 2-3 hours compared to existing modes of transport. These Vande Bharat Express services, running from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back, are expected to provide swift, comfortable, and reliable travel for residents, tourists, and pilgrims alike.
