Chenab Bridge, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Key Data

Chenab Bridge is an under-construction rail bridge, located between Bakkal and Kauri in the
Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India. The 1,315m-long bridge is being built at a
height of 359m. Once completed, it will be the tallest rail bridge in the world.
The INR5.12bn ($92m) bridge is a part of Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line
(JUSBRL) project being undertaken by the Ministry of Indian Railways. The bridge will include
a 14m-wide dual carriageway and a 1.2m-wide central verge.
The project is expected to be finished by March 2016 and will have a lifespan of 120 years. It
will contribute to the economic development of the state and help in providing better
transportation accessibility within the state and the country.

Need for the Chenab rail bridge

"The project is expected to be finished by March 2016 and will have a lifespan of 120 years."

Travelling in and around the mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir has been a great
difficulty for locals. An urgent need to provide better transportation facilities was recognised by
the Government of India. Construction of a national railway project that will connect J&K with
the rest of India was therefore proposed.
The JUSBRL project was launched in 2003 as part of this proposal. The 345km-long railway line
between the Jammu and Baramulla regions will enhance mobility within the state and across
India. The railway line will traverse along Jammu-Udhampur-Katra-Quazigund-Baramulla.
Construction of the Jammu to Udhampur section was completed and opened in April 2005. Work
is progressing on the Udhampur to Baramulla section.
The project includes construction of several bridges and tunnels along the route, of which
Chenab Bridge is one. It is will span across the deep Chenab river and provide access to the
Kashmir valley from Udhampur.
The project was suspended in 2008 due to construction challenges. The alignment of the entire
JUSBRL project was reviewed to propose solutions for the challenges faced. The review work
was submitted to the Railway Board and approved in 2009. The design of the bridge, however,
was approved in July 2012.

Chenab Bridge design details

Chenab Bridge forms a massive steel arch, the first of its kind in India. The country has no codes
or design guidance for such massive structures. Based on experiences drawn from similar
projects worldwide, the design practices for the bridge are being followed.
"The 345km-long railway line between the Jammu and Baramulla regions will enhance mobility
within the state and across India."
BS: 5400 is being used as the basic guideline for the design and construction of the bridge. The
deep Chenab river valley under the bridge is prone to high wind pressure risking the stability of
the bridge.
Norway-based Force Technology Laboratory conducted several wind tunnel tests to understand
the effects of wind speed, static force coefficients and gust buffeting. The bridge is designed to
resist wind speeds of up to 260kmph. The seismic nature of the project zone was also considered
during its design.
The bridge will include 17 spans, as well as the 469m main arch span across the Chenab River,
and viaducts on either side. The main span of the bridge will include two 36m-long approach
spans. It will be built as a two ribbed arch with steel trusses made of concrete-filled sealed steel
boxes. The structure will be supported by two 130m-long, 100m-high pylons on either end
through cables.
Steel was chosen to construct the bridge as it will be more economical and able to resist
temperatures of -20C and wind speeds of above 200kmph. The Jammu and Kashmir region

witnesses frequent terrorist attacks. To enhance safety and security, the bridge will be made of
63mm-thick special blast-proof steel. The concrete pillars of the bridge are designed to withstand
explosions.
A ring of aerial security will be provided to safeguard the bridge. An online monitoring and
warning system will be installed on the bridge to protect the passengers and train in critical
conditions. Footpaths and cycle trails will be provided adjacent to it. The bridge will be painted
with a special corrosion-resistant paint, which lasts for 15 years.

Bridge construction and challenges faced

The bridge is being constructed in one of the most complicated and isolated terrains. One of the
biggest challenges involved was construction of the bridge without obstructing the flow of the
river. Approach roads, five kilometres in length, were constructed to reach the foundations of the
bridge.
The deck of the bridge is partly in straight horizon and partly in curves. It is located on a
transition curve with changing radius. Construction is therefore being carried out in stages
following the gradual change in the alignment. This is the first time a bridge is being constructed
incrementally on a transition curve.
Cable cranes and derrick will be used to construct the bridge. The cable cranes used for the
project will be the largest in the world.
Construction of the bridge is expected to require 25,000mt of steel, 4,000mt of reinforced steel,
46,000m of concrete and eight million m of excavation.

Contractors involved in constructing the Indian bridge

Amberg Engineering was appointed to carry out review work of the alignments. Konkan Railway
Corporation is executing the project. Design and construction of the bridge was awarded to a
joint venture of Afcons Infrastructure, Ultra Construction & Engineering Company of South
Korea and VSL India in 2004.
Finland-based WSP Group and Germany-based Leonhardt Andra and Partners are the consultants
for the project. VCE Consult ZT-GmbH designed the pylons of the bridge. Jochum Andreas
Seiltransporte installed the cables for the pylon. AkzoNobel was awarded the painting services
contract for the bridge.