World's tallest arch bridge to connect Kashmir with India

Srinagar: The Katra-Banihal railway stretch, which includes the world’s highest arch bridge over the Chenab, is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on January 26. Once completed, Kashmir and Kanyakumari will be connected for the first time by rail.

This section is considered one of the great engineering marvels, highlighted by the Chenab Bridge, 725 meters long and built 359 meters above the river. It is 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower and five times the height of Delhi’s Qutb Minar.

The bridge can withstand winds of up to 260 km/h. The section also includes 934 railway bridges and 38 tunnels.

Another notable structure in this section is the Anji Ghat cable railway bridge, the country’s first cable-stayed bridge supported by 96 three-layer cables. The bridge rises 331 meters above sea level.

The Kashmir Valley Rail Connection is expected to boost tourism in the valley, making it easier and more convenient for visitors to travel, and allowing residents to travel to other states more quickly and safely for employment or trade.

The project was approved in 2002 and has been highly anticipated, with the railroads spending approximately $37,000 million on the project.

According to Robinder Singh Yadav, executive engineer of Chenab Bridge, it was one of the most challenging construction projects on the river. He pointed out that just reaching the venue was a major obstacle. As of 2013, around 2,000 people worked on the project to bring it to fruition.

Several stations will be set up along this route, notably at Reasi, located in a remote part of the Kashmir valley. Sai Nath Reddy, executive engineer at Reasi Station, noted that work on the section of the project from Baramulla to Kashmir began in 2004 and termed it “revolutionary” for the region.

Local residents say this connectivity will be revolutionary, as they are often isolated and road travel can be long and arduous.

Manzoor Ahmed Dar, a resident of Old Barzulla in Rajbagh, Srinagar, who works in a silk weaving factory, shared his excitement, “My son and his family live in Hyderabad and we visit them once a year. It is always a long and tedious journey. This rail connectivity will be a blessing for us.

Initially, the railways will operate a MEMU train, with plans to later introduce a Vistadome coach to boost tourist traffic. The MEMU train carried civilian passengers for the first time on Sunday, after obtaining permission from the Commissioner of Railway Safety.

For travelers from Hyderabad and Telangana heading to Kashmir, seven trains are currently running from Hyderabad city stations to Delhi, from where they can connect directly to the new rail route once services are established.