Context: Successful completion and inauguration of Chenab Bridge, world’s highest railway arch bridge.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to Chenab Bridge.
About Chenab Bridge
- Location: Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir
- Total length: 1315 metres (1.3 kms) with a 467-metre-long arch.
- The world’s highest railway arch bridge stands 359 metres above the Chenab River and is 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower.
- It is a vital link in the ambitious 272 km Udhampur - Srinagar - Baramulla Rail Link railway project, which aims to connect J&K with the rest of the country by rail.
- Built by: Indian Railways at a cost of ₹1400 crore. The construction was done by a joint venture between Afcons Infrastructure, South Korea’s Ultra Construction & Engineering Company and VSL India, and the arch was designed by Germany-based Leonhardt Andra and Partners.
- The bridge has a lifespan of 120 years and is designed to handle trains running at 100 km per hour.
- Chenab Bridge was approved in 2003, it took 22 years to complete the construction, due to the tough and challenging terrain, topographical constraints and political climate.
Significance of Chenab Bridge:
Strategic Importance for National Security:
- Critical from the national security perspective as it will help in transporting security personnel and material to the border areas during times of conflict.
Economic Significance:
Chenab Bridge is expected to give a huge boost to the economy of J&K.
- By integrating this region through rail with the rest of the country, it will enable movement of goods by rail and more business opportunities.
- Easier market access to local businesses, especially to markets in central and southern India. It will particularly benefit the horticulture industry of J&K, especially apple growers who earlier had to rely on road transport to send their produce out of J&K.
- Boost to the tourist industry with greater inflow of tourists from other parts of India.
- Freight traffic through rail is also expected to increase, improving logistics and trade in the region.