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World’s highest arch bridge likely to complete by Aug 15
The nation is set to get an extraordinary gift—a marvel of engineering—on the 75th anniversary of Independence in the shape of World’s highest arch bridge connection Udhampur-Banihal rail link expected to be completed by August 15.
As per official sources, the highest arch bridge is likely to be completed this Independence with the efforts of experts and a battery of engineers and labourers engaged in the mission.
“At present the work of laying the deck on the bridge is in its final leg following which, the target will be to complete the work of laying the railway track this year by the month of December,” an official said.
Stating that the bridge is a major connection between Udhampur-Banihal rail link, he said, “the work of the arch has already been completed. The construction of 88 percent of the deck on the bridge is almost in its final stage and with the completion of the deck by August 15, laying the track will be very soon.”
Notably, the arch bridge being built on the River Chenab in Reasi district of Jammu division is 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower.
The height of its arch is 359 meters above the sea level of the River Chenab and will be even higher from the river bed.
“The Railway Ministry has set a target to start train service on the bridge by December 2022. With the construction of the bridge, the dream of connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country directly through a rail route will be fulfilled,” he added.
“The bridge is no less than a wonder in the World and the deadline to complete the construction work has been fixed for August 15 and we are trying our best to accomplish the mission before the deadline,” said an official further adding that the work of laying the rail track on it will also be completed very soon.
The work of laying railway track on the 136 km long route between Udhampur to Banihal is estimated to be completed at the cost of Rs.28,000 crore.
The 25-km track from Udhampur to Katra is already functioning smoothly and out of the remaining 111 km long track, about 97 km will pass through bridges and tunnels while the target to complete the railway track is by March 2023.
