PM Modi to Inaugurate World’s Highest ‘Fauladi’ Chenab Bridge on June 6: ‘A Symbol of New India’s Strength,’ Says Jitendra Singh

Reasi: India is set to etch its name in engineering history as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Chenab Railway Bridge on June 6, 2025, Union Minister for Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh announced on Tuesday. Towering at 359 meters above the Chenab River—taller than the Eiffel Tower—this structure is now officially the world’s highest railway arch bridge.

In a post on X, Dr. Singh wrote: “History in the making… Just 3 days to go! The mighty Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, stands tall in Jammu and Kashmir. Part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL). Built to withstand nature’s toughest tests. PM Modi to inaugurate the #ChenabBridge on 6th June, 2025. A proud symbol of New India’s strength and vision!”

The bridge is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) and lies in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. Once opened, it will mark the first-ever rail connection between Kashmir and the rest of India, offering both strategic value and economic promise. It will be a vital part of the Katra-Sangaldan route, creating a direct rail link between New Delhi and Kashmir.

A senior railway engineer, speaking to news agency, emphasized the unparalleled nature of this infrastructure: “If I talk about its features: its height is 359 meters, which is even more than that of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Secondly, this bridge is the world’s highest railway arch bridge. Thirdly, this bridge is capable of withstanding winds blowing at speeds greater than 250 kilometers per hour.”

Describing its steel framework, he added: “This is a steel bridge—I call it a ‘fauladi bridge’ because around 30,000 metric tons of steel have been used in its construction. You can get an idea of its vastness from the fact that its largest foundation, S20, is roughly one-third the size of a football field. This also reflects the spirit of New India—what it envisions and resolves, it achieves.”

The USBRL project spans 272 km, featuring 36 tunnels covering 119 km and around 1,000 bridges in total—a scale rarely seen in global rail infrastructure. The Chenab Bridge stood out as the crown jewel, demanding exceptional engineering due to the region’s difficult terrain, seismic sensitivity, and extreme weather conditions.

Officials say this bridge will not only transform logistics and mobility but also act as a catalyst for economic growth, tourism, and national integration in the region.