About Chenab Bridge:
- Location: It is located between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
- The 1.3-km-long bridge is located 359 metres above the Chenab riverbed.
- It is the highest single-arch railway bridge in the world.
- It is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project.
- Features:
- The arch consists of steel boxes. Concrete has been filled in the boxes to improve stability.
- The bridge has been designed with a life span of 120 years.
- It has been designed to withstand high wind speeds of up to 266 Kmph.
- It is capable of withstanding the nation’s maximum intensity zone-V earthquake forces.
Key Facts about Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project:
- The USBRL Project involves the construction of a railway line from Udhampur to Baramulla, joining the Kashmir valley with the Indian Railways network.
- Aim: To connect Kashmir to the rest of the country and give a push to development in the valley.
- Total Length: 272 km
- The project was declared a “National Project” in 2002.
- The project includes the construction of several bridges and tunnels along the route.
- This project involves 38 tunnels (combined length of 119 Km), with the longest tunnel (T-49) having a length of 12.75 Km and is the country's longest transportation tunnel.
- There are 927 nos. of bridges (combined length of 13 Km), including the iconic Chenab Bridge.
- The project includes the Indian Railway's first cable-stayed, bridge which is being constructed on Anji Khad.
