Shabir Ahmad
In the heart of the Himalayas, where the River Chenab carves a relentless path through jagged cliffs, a monumental structure has risen—a testament to human ingenuity and the indomitable spirit of progress. The Chenab Bridge, completed in 2024, stands 359 meters above the riverbed, towering over the Eiffel Tower and symbolizing a new chapter for Kashmir. This architectural marvel, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, is not merely a feat of engineering but a lifeline for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, stitching together remote villages with the promise of connectivity, opportunity, and unity.
Spanning 1,315 meters across a turbulent gorge in Reasi district, the Chenab Bridge is the crown jewel of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, a visionary endeavor launched in 1994 to integrate the Kashmir Valley with India’s vast railway network. Conceived during the premiership of P.V. Narasimha Rao, the USBRL aimed to overcome the region’s geographic isolation, a challenge compounded by decades of political turmoil and insurgency. The project faced delays due to funding shortages, technical complexities, and the region’s volatile security situation, particularly during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Yet, the completion of the Chenab Bridge marks the culmination of a dream that persisted through adversity, with construction accelerating under the leadership of successive governments, notably after 2014 when the project was declared a “National Project” to expedite its progress.
Building the bridge was a Herculean task. The Chenab’s steep gorge, flanked by snow-capped peaks, posed formidable challenges. Engineers contended with sub-zero temperatures, winds reaching 100 km/h, and the ever-present risk of seismic activity in a region prone to earthquakes up to magnitude 8. Over 1,300 workers, alongside teams from Indian Railways and the Konkan Railway Corporation, toiled for over a decade, often suspended hundreds of meters above the river. The bridge’s design, a 467-meter steel arch, required 25,000 metric tons of steel and precision engineering to ensure stability. Its completion in 2024, after years of meticulous planning and execution, stands as a testament to India’s growing technological prowess and the resilience of its workforce.
For the people of Kashmir, the Chenab Bridge is more than a railway crossing; it is a gateway to transformation. In Srinagar’s bustling markets, where vendors sell vibrant saffron and glossy apples, traders like Mohammad Ashraf, a third-generation farmer, see new horizons. “Our apples spoiled on long truck journeys to Delhi,” he says, stacking crates. “Now, the train will deliver them fresh in hours, cutting costs and boosting profits.” The rail link promises to reduce transport times for perishable goods, connecting Kashmir’s agrarian economy to national markets and fostering economic growth.
Beyond commerce, the bridge brings hope to remote communities. In villages like Bakkal and Kauri, families have long endured treacherous journeys for basic needs. Shazia Begum, a mother from Kauri, recalls harrowing winter trips to Srinagar for her son’s asthma treatment. “The train will take us there in hours, not days,” she says, her voice filled with relief. The rail link will also enhance access to education and jobs, empowering youth like Nasreen Bano, a 20-year-old from Anantnag aspiring to study engineering in Bangalore. “The bridge makes me believe I can chase my dreams,” she says, inspired by its grandeur.
Tourism, Kashmir’s economic lifeline, is poised for a renaissance. The bridge itself, a sweeping arch that seems to defy gravity, is a magnet for adventurers and photographers. Tour operators like Bilal Ahmad are crafting “Chenab Bridge Experience” packages, blending train rides with visits to shrines and orchards. “This bridge will draw the world to Kashmir’s beauty,” Bilal predicts. In 2023, Jammu and Kashmir welcomed over 2 crore tourists, and the rail link is expected to further boost these numbers, putting remote villages on the global map.
Strategically, the bridge strengthens India’s infrastructure in a geopolitically sensitive region. Located near the Line of Control, it facilitates faster movement of supplies and personnel to border areas, enhancing national security. In times of crisis—floods, landslides, or harsh winters—the railway will enable swift aid delivery, a critical lifeline for communities often cut off. Historically, Kashmir’s isolation has been a strategic vulnerability; the Chenab Bridge addresses this, weaving the region into India’s broader security framework.
The bridge has already become a cultural icon. In Bakkal, children cheer as trains cross the arch, their laughter echoing through the valley. Elders like Ghulam Nabi, a 70-year-old shepherd, marvel at the progress. “We crossed the Chenab on rickety wooden bridges,” he recalls. “Now, my grandchildren will travel in safety.” For entrepreneurs like Ayesha Mir from Baramulla, the bridge sparks innovation. Her online store for Kashmiri shawls and spices will benefit from faster shipping. “This bridge connects us to the world,” she says.
As trains glide across the Chenab Bridge, they carry more than passengers—they carry the weight of history and the aspirations of a people. From a dream born in the 1990s to a reality forged through decades of perseverance, the bridge heralds a Kashmir no longer bound by isolation, stepping boldly into a future of connection and possibility.
