Chenab Rail Bridge: India's Engineering Marvel Soaring Above the Chenab River

By Neha Choubey

| Published: Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 21:11 [IST]

The Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, India, stands as a testament to modern engineering. Nestled between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district, this steel and concrete arch bridge towers 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the Chenab River, claiming the title of the world's highest rail bridge. Showcasing remarkable design and technical prowess, the bridge not only sets records but also overcomes significant engineering challenges.

Chenab Rail Bridge: India's Engineering Marvel Soaring Above the Chenab River

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The Chenab Rail Bridge is a marvel of steel and concrete, located between Bakkal and Kauri in Jammu and Kashmir. It spans the Chenab River at a height of 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the river surface, making it the highest rail bridge in the world.

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The bridge has a deck height of 359 meters above the river bed and 322 meters above the river surface. It stretches 1,315 meters in length, including a 650-meter-long viaduct on the northern side, and boasts an arch span of 467 meters with an overall length of 480 meters.

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Chenab Rail Bridge holds several impressive records: it is the 16th highest bridge in the world, the 11th longest arch bridge globally, and the bridge with the longest span in the 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge railway network.

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Construction milestones include the completion of base supports in November 2017, the arch completion in April 2021, and the overall bridge completion by August 2022. Initially expected to open to rail traffic by late 2023 or early 2024, the schedule has been rescheduled to July.

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Featuring a single steel arch with approach viaducts on each side, the bridge's trusses have sealed steel box chords, which are internally stiffened and filled with concrete to handle wind forces, eliminating the need for internal painting.

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The bridge's location required a massive steel arch to support a 300-ton locomotive and thousands of tons of passenger cars. The arch spans 1,056 feet (322 meters) from deck to water, overcoming the challenging terrain and river below.

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Inaugurated in August 2022, the Chenab Rail Bridge stands as a remarkable engineering achievement and a symbol of India's progress in rail infrastructure.