Subhechcha Ganguly 
In a landmark moment for Indian infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Chenab Railway Bridge, the world’s tallest railway arch bridge, standing 359 metres above the riverbed — taller than the Eiffel Tower by 35 metres.
After landing at the Air Force Station in Udhampur, PM Modi flew to the bridge site to formally dedicate the engineering marvel to the nation. This marks his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since Operation Sindoor, the military strike launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April that claimed 26 lives.
The Chenab bridge is a key part of the ₹43,780 crore Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which aims to provide seamless, all-weather rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of India. The project includes 36 tunnels totaling 119 km and 943 bridges, making it one of the most ambitious infrastructure ventures in the country.
During the event, Modi interacted with engineers, workers, and officials involved in the construction, and reviewed an exhibition on the USBRL project alongside J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
Further enhancing regional connectivity, PM Modi is also set to inaugurate India’s first cable-stayed Anji bridge and flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar — completing the 272-km USBRL corridor.
This inauguration not only symbolizes a feat of engineering but also a powerful step toward regional development, national integration, and strengthening connectivity in one of India’s most strategic and sensitive regions.
