Chenab Bridge Latest Update:
The Government of India celebrated India's 75th Independence Day on August 13, 2022 after the completion and inauguration of the 'Golden Joint' of the Chenab Railway Bridge. The 'Golden Joint' of World Highest Railway Bridge was decorated with the national flag to celebrate the "Azadi Ka Amrita Mohotsav".
It holds a world record that the tallest or Highest Railway Bridge in the World belongs to India.
Image-1: Chenab Rail Bridge Latest Update 2022

Chenab Railway Bridge || World Highest Railway Bridge || Chenab Bridge Latest Update 2022:

Chenab Railway Bridge is the World Highest Railway Bridge. Chenab Bridge Height is 359.00m from the river bed level which is 35.00m more than the Eiffel Tower. Chenab Railway Bridge connects Bakkal and Kauri (Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir state of India). The length of Chenab Bridge is 1315.00 m including the long viaduct having length 650.00m towards northern side. This Bridge is an arch bridge and the Arch span of this Bridge is 467.00m long and the length of an Arch is 480.00m

Structural Details:

Chenab Bridge or Chenab Rail Bridge is designed as an arch deck bridge and the material used in Chenab Rail Bridge is concrete and steel. The overall length of Chenab Railway Bridge is 1315.00m and height of Chenab Bridge from river bed to Chenab to the road formation level is 359.00m. The Longest span of Chenab Bridge is 467.00m and Chenab Bridge consists total 17 numbers of spans.

Difficulties in Construction Work:

Geology: Himalayan regions are familiar with faults, folds, Shear zones etc due to ongoing tectonic activities. So it is necessary when planning to construct in this region. The geology of Chenab bridge’s site comprises of shiwaliks and tertiary rocks, main sub type of rocks comprises dolomite and lime stones, some piers comprises quartzite and shale rocks, no shear zone and cavities have found near both the abutments of Chenab Rail Bridge, top layers on abutments are highly fractured and represents blocky mass, although bottom layers are stable and strong for foundation. Both abutments having foliation joints with 2 sets of vertical joints and the spacing between both foliation joints are extremely less, the joints are very less and irregular with little infilling. The rock mass is highly interlocked and dry.

When the construction work of Chenab Rail Bridge was started then this bridge was expected to construct in December 2009. Although, in September 2008 the project of Chenab Bridge was halted due to fears over the stability and safety of Chenab Bridge. After this scenario, the work of Chenab Bridge was restarted in 2010 with the plan to complete Chenab Bridge in 2015, But unfortunately, it was stopped again. In June 2017 construction of the Chenab Bridge resumed, May 2019 the work of the arch bridge was completed. In august 2019 80% of the construction work was completed and it seems the Chenab Bridge was to be opened in mid of 2020. In November 2019, 83 % construction work of Chenab Bridge was completed and speculations were saying Chenab Bridge to be opened in march 2021. In January 2020, sources say this bridge to be opened in December 2021. In April 2021 both the arch of Chenab Bridge was touched and closed on April 2021.

Now the latest update says the Chenab Rail Bridge has inaugurated on 13 August 2022. It makes a world record that World's Highest Railway Bridge belongs to India.

Construction Details:

The Chenab Rail Bridge is 1315.00m long this bridge is steel arch bridge under construction in Jammu and Kashmir in the state of India. Chenab Rail Bridge is a part of Jammu Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Rail Line (JUSBRL) project and this project are undertaken by Indian Railways. Structural height of the Chenab Rail Bridge is 359.00m from the bed of the Chenab river. The terrain of rail line will be mountainous and passes through a tunnel & bridge. Chenab Rail Bridge is constructed in difficult Himalayan geology. The most challenging part of Chenab Bridge is to construct over Chenab River. The Chenab Rail Bridge comprises 530.00m long approach and 785.00m long arch bridge and the span length of arch will be 467.00m, which making Chenab Bridge to one of the longest arch in the world and Chenab bridge will be the longest arch in the world for Rail traffic. The width of deck will be 13.50m and will have 2 railway tracks. Chenab Rail Bridge will consist total 18 number of piers which will be resting ground. 4 number of piers resting towards the left Abutments while the rest of 14 piers will rest towards the right Abutment. Width of the River bed level is about 150.00 m, while the rail track will have on the bridge at RL 854.517.00m.

Click the following links to read more

1. The Longest Tunnel In India || Chenani-Nashri Tunnel

2. List of Longest Bridge In India: Top 10