‘Showcases growing strength in engineering technology’
*DRDO helps make it blast-proof
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that construction of highest railway bridge in Reasi district (which will connect Kashmir valley with country through rail) showcases India’s growing strength in the field of cutting-edge and engineering technology.
His remarks came in a chapter exclusive devoted to construction of railway bridge in Reasi district which was completed few days back and is highest railway bridge surpassing Eiffel Tower, in the Government’s official magazine.
“This construction work not only showcases India’s growing strength in the field of cutting-edge engineering and technology, but also exemplifies the country’s changed work culture of Sankalp Se Siddhi,” the Prime Minister said in his quote.
In the chapter Chenab bridge—World’s Highest Railway Bridge Over Chenab’, the Government said the bridge is 1315 meters in length and involved a cost of Rs 27,949 crore.
“The 359 metre high Chenab Arch is the highest railway bridge in the world. It is 35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris (France),” the Government said.
It added that the bridge is made of 28,660 metric tonnes of steels, has a width of 13 meters, and a serviceable period of around 120 years.
“For the first time in the world , with the help of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the bridge has been made blast-proof,” the Government said.
It said the Indian Railways completed the arch construction of the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir. An excellent example of engineering prowess, this bridge makes every countryman feel proud. With the construction of this bridge, distance of hours can now be covered in minutes.
The bridge will help connect Kashmir valley with train with rest of the country.
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link project is the Indian Railways’ among the most challenging works, the officials said.
The bridge forms a crucial link in the 111-km stretch from Katra to Banihal, which is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla section of the Kashmir Railway project, they said.
For constructing the bridge, pylons were erected on either side of the river and two auxiliary self-propelled cable cranes were used to tow temporary auxiliary ropes across these pylons, according to the officials.
More than 1,300 workers and 300 engineers worked round the clock to complete the bridge.
The construction started in 2004 but the work was stopped in 2008-09 to consider the aspect of safety of rail passengers
It connected Salal A and Dugga Railway stations on either side of the bridge with the mighty river Chenab in Reasi district.
“It is a major achievement towards the completion of 111kilometres long Katra-Banihal railway section, for which massive Himalayan hills are being mined,” the officials said.
Nearly10,620 MT of steel has been consumed in the construction of the gigantic arch, and 14,504 MT of steel has gone into the construction of the bridge deck.
The steel used in the structure is suitable for temperature ranging from 10 degree Celsius to minus 40 degree Celsius. The bridge will have a minimum lifespan of 120 years and will be built for trains at a speed of 100 kilometres per hour.
The bridge, on upstream of Salal Dam, is situated near Kauri village in Reasi district of Jammu region.
The wonderful achievement has been attracting a lot of interesting takes across the country.
One of these was when an industrialist suggested the location to the makers of the James Bond franchise.
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