Indian Railways completes arch closure of iconic Chenab Bridge, World's Highest Railway Bridge: See Pics

New Delhi: The Indian Railways on Monday (April 5, 2021) completed the Arch closure of the World's Highest Railway Bridge, the iconic Chenab Bridge. The news regarding the same was shared by Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal and the milestone was also appreciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

(Photos taken from ANI and PTI) 

According to the Ministry of Railways, the completion of the steel arch of the Chenab Bridge was one of the most difficult parts of the bridge.

 

Railways said that this achievement is a major leap towards the completion of the 111 km long winding stretch from Katra to Banihal. "It is arguably the biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history," the Ministry of Railways said in a press release.

The 5.6-metre last piece of metal was fitted at the highest point on Monday and joined the two arms of the arch that currently stretch towards each other from both the banks of the river. This reportedly completed the shape of the arch that will then loom over the treacherous Chenab, flowing over 359 metres below.

After completion of the arch work, removal of the stay cables, filling of the concrete in the arch rib, erection of the steel trestle, launching of the viaduct and track laying work will be taken up.

Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, is 1315 m long. It will be 35 meters higher than Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The total cost of the bridge is estimated to be Rs 1486 crore and the design life of the bridge is said to be 120 years.

The World's Highest Railway Bridge is being designed to withstand high wind speed up to 266 km/hour. It is also designed for blast load in consultation with DRDO for the first time in India.

 

The Railways said that the Bridge will remain operational at a restricted speed of 30 km/hour even after the removal of one pier/trestle. It can also bear earthquake forces of the highest intensity zone-V in India.