World’s Highest Railway Bridge On Chenab River In J&K Completed

In a historic milestone, India on Monday completed the construction of the arch of the world's highest railway bridge that soars nearly 359 metres above the bed of Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Railway Ministry said the 5.6-meter last piece of metal (closure segment) was fitted at the highest point of the arch on Monday. It joined the two arms of the arch that currently stretch towards each other from both banks of the Chenab.

The sophisticated ‘Tekla’ software has been used for structural detailing and the structural steel is suitable for -10 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius.

After completion of the arch work, removal of the stay cables, filling of the concrete in the arch rib, erection of the steel trestle, launching of the viaduct and track laying work will be taken up.

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.

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.

The completion of the arch work was also seen by Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal and Railway Board Chairman and CEO Suneet Sharma along with Northern Railway General Manager Ashutosh Gangal, through video conferencing.