Record-setting Chenab Bridge opens today, Omar Abdullah shares stunning pics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the engineering marvels - Chenab Bridge and Anji Bridge - during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. Ahead of his visit, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shared stunning photos and videos of the two rail bridges.

In Short

• PM Modi to inaugurate Chenab, Anji bridges; flag off Vande Bharat trains
• At 359 metres, Chenab Bridge is world's highest railway arch bridge
• Anji Bridge is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday visited the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, to oversee the final preparations, a day before it is inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Abdullah shared pictures and videos of the Chenab Bridge and Anji Bridge, which is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, capturing the engineering marvels against the backdrop of breathtaking views.

With the opening of the two bridges in Reasi district constructed as part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), Kashmir will get all-weather rail connectivity with Jammu and the rest of the country.

"Visited the tallest railway bridge in the world, The Chenab Bridge, to review arrangements for the visit of PM @narendramodi ji tomorrow. Tomorrow is a landmark day for J&K when, finally, the valley will be connected to the rest of the country by a railway link to be inaugurated at the hands of the PM," Omar Abdullah tweeted.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister also shared visuals of the Anji Bridge seen from a helicopter.

"One video of the cable-stayed Anji Bridge on the same rail link seen from the chopper," Abdullah said.

ABOUT CHENAB AND ANJI BRIDGES

The Chenab Rail Bridge, situated at a height of 359 metres above the river, is the world's highest railway arch bridge. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions. A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.

When a Vande Bharat train moves on the bridge, it will take just about three hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing existing travel time by two to three hours.

Designed to endure harsh terrain and extreme weather, the bridge can withstand wind speeds of up to 260 kmph and is built to last 120 years. With a project cost of Rs 1,486 crore, it is not just a bridge, but a symbol of India's technical prowess.

The Anji Bridge is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, which spans 473 metres across the Anji river, a tributary of the Chenab. It also forms part of the USBRL project, valued at approximately Rs 43,780 crore.

The bridge was designed to withstand the region's challenging terrain and seismic activity.

With a single pylon rising 331 meters and 96 cables supporting the deck, the Anji Bridge will enhance connectivity to the Kashmir Valley, playing a crucial role in improving trade, travel and defence logistics in the area.

PM MODI TO INAUGURATE USBRL PROJECT ON FRIDAY

The 272-km-long USBRL project, worth around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration.

Under the project, PM Modi will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge and visit the bridge deck around 11 am on Friday. Thereafter, he will visit and inaugurate the Anji Bridge. He will also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back around 12 pm.

Thereafter, he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra.

In a tweet, PM Modi described June 6 as a "special day" for the Jammu and Kashmir and highlighted the benefits of the Chenab and Anji bridges and the USBRL project.

"Tomorrow, June 6, is indeed a special day for my sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir. Key infrastructure projects worth Rs 46,000 crore are being inaugurated which will have a very positive impact on people's lives," he said.

"In addition to being an extraordinary feat of architecture, the Chenab Rail Bridge will improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. The Anji Bridge stands tall as India's first cable-stayed rail bridge in a terrain that is challenging," he said.

"The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project ensures all weather connectivity and the Vande Bharat trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar will boost spiritual tourism and create livelihood opportunities," the Prime Minister further said.

PM MODI TO LAY FOUNDATION STONE, FLAG OFF OTHER PROJECTS

In a major boost to last-mile connectivity, especially in border areas, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various road projects. He will lay the foundation stone of a road widening project from Rafiabad to Kupwara on National Highway 701 and the construction of Shopian bypass road on NH-444 worth over Rs 1,952 crore.

He will also inaugurate two flyover projects at Sangrama Junction on National Highway 1 in Srinagar and at Bemina Junction on National Highway 44. These projects are expected to ease traffic congestion and enhance traffic flow for commuters.

PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra worth over Rs 350 crore. It will be the first medical college in Reasi district, contributing substantially to the healthcare infrastructure in the region.

(with inputs from PTI)