The Chenab Rail Bridge, is a railway bridge over the Chenab River in Reasi district of the Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a steel and concrete spanning 1,315 m (4,314 ft) across the river gorge. The structure consists of an approach bridge which is 530 m (1,740 ft) long and a 785 m (2,575 ft) long deck arch bridge. With a deck height of 359 m (1,178 ft) from the river bed, the arch bridge is the highest rail bridge and arch bridge in the world. It is located between Kauri and Bakkal on the Jammu–Baramulla line.

The bridge was constructed at a cost of ₹14.86 billion (US$170 million). The project was overseen by Konkan Railway Corporation of the Indian Railways. While the project was approved in 2002, the construction work started only in 2017. The base supports were completed in November 2017 with the arch constructed by April 2021. The bridge was fully completed and was inaugurated in August 2022. The first trial runs were conducted in June 2024.

Background and planning

In the late 1970s, the Government of India planned to establish a railway line to connect Jammu with the Kashmir valley. The line would connect Kashmir with the rest of the Indian railway network and aid in the economic activity of the region.[1][2][3] It would also serve as a strategic link to the Kashmir region all round the year as the road is often cut off by snowfall during winters.[4] Though the foundation stone for the project was laid in 1983, constructed started only when the funds were allocated only in the mid 1990s.[5][6][7] The Jammu–Udhampur section was opened in April 2005.[1][6] Subsequently, a railway line was established between Baramulla and Banihal in Kashmir in phases from 2008 to 2013, and the planned Jammu-Baramulla line would extend beyond Srinagar to connect to the new line.[5][8] The section between Udhampur and Katra was opened for traffic in July 2014.[9]

Meanwhile, a survey was conducted in 1997 to study the feasibility for extending the railway line from Udhampur to Srinagar in the valley.[6][7] The line would have to pass through the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas,[5] which necessitated multiple tunnels and bridges.[1][3][8] The line between Katra and Srinagar necessitated a crossing of a deep gorge formed by the Chenab River.[1][10][11] A high altitude rail bridge was approved to cross the river between Kauri and Bakkal, about 23 km (14 mi) north of Katra.[1][12][13][14]

Design

The Indian Railways assigned the bridge construction project to Konkan Railway Corporation on behalf of Northern Railways.[1][15] The bridge was declared a national project due to its national importance in connecting Kashmir to the existing lines of Indian Railways.[12][13] Konkan railway invited tenders for the project in November 2003.[14] The area was located in a major seismic zone (zone V) with a fractured geology,[14] and in a conflict prone zone.[4] WSP Finland served as the main designer of the bridge, with Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner designing the bridge arches, and Vienna Consulting Engineers aiding in the design of the pylons.[1][2][15] Indian Institute of Science helped with the study of the protection of the foundation of the bridge.[15]

A 1,315 m (4,314 ft) was planned at a cost of ₹14.86 billion (US$170 million).[8][12][15] The main deck of the bridge was planned at a height of 359 m (1,178 ft) above the river bed, making it the highest rail bridge and arch bridge in the world.[8][12][15] The bridge consists of two parts– an approach bridge which is 530 m (1,740 ft) long and the 785 m (2,575 ft) long deck arch bridge.[11] The arch bridge consists of a two-ribbed arch design and prefabricated steel boxes filled with concrete used in chords of the trusses.[1][11] The bridge consists of 17 spans, with the main span measuring 467 m (1,532 ft) linearly.[1][15] The spans are supported by steel piers, the highest of which measures 133.7 m (439 ft).[8] The super structure consists of 161 girder plates each of 8 m (26 ft) length and 8 mm (0.31 in) thickness.[8][11][13] The bridge is about 13.5 m (44 ft) wide,[11] and can accommodate double railway tracks with a separation of 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) in the center.[1][12] The main bridge arch structure weighs 10,619 tonnes and is supported by two cable-attached pylons measuring 130 m (430 ft) and 100 m (330 ft) respectively.[1][15]

The design and construction is compliant with various national and global standards and codes, including Indian Standards, Indian Railway Standards, Indian Road Congress, British Standards, and International Union of Railways.[1][11][14] The bridge is designed to have a life of 120 years and is designated to handle rail speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph).[1][2][15] The bridge was designed to withstand earthquakes up to a magnitude of eight on the Richter scale, high-intensity blasts equivalent to about 40 tonnes of TNT, temperatures up to −20 °C (−4 °F) and wind speeds of up to 266 km/h (165 mph).[12][13][15][16]

Construction and opening

Piers of the approach bridge in 2013

The construction contract was awarded to Chenab Bridge Project Undertaking, a joint venture between Indian companies Afcons Infrastructure, VSL India, and South Korean company Ultra Construction.[15][17][18] Though the project was initially slated for completion by 2009,[11] construction was halted in late 2008 due to concerns with the safety and stability of the bridge.[1][8][13] The construction work re-started in 2010,[8][13][19] after a modification to the main span design.[11] The base supports of the bridge were completed in November 2017.[20] Construction progressed actively in 2018 with initial plans to complete the bridge by May 2019.[21][22][23] However, the progress was slower than expected and missed several deadlines.[24][25] Only about 83% of the construction was deemed to be completed by January 2020, with a subsequent planned opening in 2021.[13][26] The arches were completed by April 2021, with the new deadline set for 2022.[27][28] The bridge was fully completed and was inaugurated on 13 August 2022.[29][30] In February 2023, laying of railway tracks on the bridge commenced,[31][32][33] with the commencement of traffic expected in early 2024.[34] Full scale trial runs across the entire line commenced in June 2024, and expected date to be opened for traffic pushed to late 2024.[35][36]

Aerial view of Chenab Bridge during construction of the arch

The viaduct piers are made of self compacting concrete filled into steel boxes.[13] The construction used about 28,660 tonnes of steel, 66,000 m3 of concrete and 84 km (52 mi) of bolts and cables.[2][12][15] The steel was supplied by the Steel Authority of India.[8][13] Cabling for the pylon was installed by Jochum Andreas Seiltransporte.[1] After the steel columns were built, a derrick crane was used to install the arch sections and deck spans in place, with temporary cables holding them in place.[11] Specially designed high strength friction grip bolts were used for joining the two ends of the bridge arches.[37] Due to the extreme location of the bridge, a new corrosion resistant painting scheme was developed, having a longer life time of about 15 years, compared to five to seven years in most other Indian railway bridges.[13][38] The painting contract was awarded to AkzoNobel.[1]

As the construction site was located amidst the Himalayas, the construction involved several logistical challenges.[4][11] Due to limited connectivity, workshops were set up at select locations on either side of the river valley.[11] The electricity used was generated locally, and the water was transported using pipes from the river.[11] Proofing of the foundation, and viaduct and arch was done by the British companies URS and COWI respectively.[15] Stability analysis was done ITASCA along with IIT Delhi.[15] Seismic analysis was done with IIT Delhi and IIT Roorkee.[15] The Defence Research & Development Organization aided in developing the blast proofing of the bridge.[2][39]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Chenab Bridge". Railway technology. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "A marvel in steel". The Indian Express. 23 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link update". Daily News and Analysis. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "A new Kashmir rail bridge that could be a game-changer for India". BBC News. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Tracking Jammu and Kashmir rail history". The Hindustan Times. 28 October 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "History of Railways in J&K". Daily Excelsior. 6 October 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b "History of Railways in Jammu & Kashmir". Early Times. 1 January 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "India joins the superlative club, we now have the world's highest rail bridge". 15 February 2013. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  9. ^ "Modi flags off inaugural train from Katra". The Hindu. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Chenab Rail bridge will be highest in the world". The Hindu. 17 January 2008. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l P. Pulkkinen; S. Hopf b; A. Jutila (2012). "Conceptual design of the Chenab Bridge in India" (PDF). Procedia Engineering. 40: 189–194. doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2012.07.078.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "Quixplained: Chenab arch bridge which will connect Kashmir to Kanyakumari". The Indian Express. 7 April 2021. Archived from the original on 9 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Nag, Devanjana (16 January 2020). "Chenab bridge: World's highest rail bridge taller than Eiffel Tower, can withstand blasts!". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  14. ^ a b c d "Salient Features of the Chenab and Anji Khad Bridges" (PDF). Konkan Railway Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2003. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Railways complete the Arch closure of the iconic Chenab Bridge, World's highest Railway Bridge". Ministry of Railways (Press release). 5 April 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  16. ^ "The Kashmir valley is not far". The Hindu. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Chenab Rail Bridge, Jammu and Kashmir, India". Railway Technology. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  18. ^ "Indian Railways makes history;Awards largest bridge contract in J&K". Project Monitor. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 1 September 2008.
  19. ^ "Work Resumes on Tallest Rail Bridge in India". Railway Technology. 10 June 2010. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  20. ^ Jha, Srinand (6 November 2017). "Railways launches main arch of Chenab: World's highest rail bridge an impressive feat but are celebrations misplaced?". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  21. ^ "World's highest railway bridge, taller than Eiffel Tower, nearing completion in J&K". Zee News. 13 November 2018. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  22. ^ Sagotra, Yogesh (7 November 2017). "World's tallest railway bridge on Chenab to complete by May 2019". Greater Kashmir. Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  23. ^ "World's highest rail bridge to come up across Chenab river". The Hindustan Times. 17 February 2013. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  24. ^ "Kashmir rail link to see further delay after work stops yet again". The Kashmir Walla. 1 December 2018. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  25. ^ "Chenab rail bridge to miss 2020 deadline". Policy Times. 3 December 2018. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  26. ^ Jacob, Shine (19 August 2019). "Railway project to link Kashmir with rest of India put on fast track". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 6 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  27. ^ "Railways completes world's highest rail bridge arch: Why Chenab bridge is called an 'engineering marvel'". Times Now. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  28. ^ "Indian Railways completes close to 90 percent work on world's highest Chenab rail bridge". Zee News. 24 June 2022. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  29. ^ "Chenab Bridge: Before 'Golden' Launch Today, Cross Journey Behind Making J&K's Marvel". News18. 13 August 2022. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  30. ^ "Chenab Bridge, World's Highest Rail Bridge Taller Than Eiffel Tower, Inaugurated Today". India.com. 13 August 2022. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  31. ^ "Track-laying work on world's highest railway bridge starts". Greater Kashmir. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  32. ^ "Track-laying work begins on world's highest rail bridge in J&K's Reasi". The Hindustan Times. 21 February 2023. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  33. ^ "Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project on Chenab Bridge: Track laying work begins on world's highest Railway bridge". The Financial Express. 23 February 2023. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Railway to Connect Kashmir with Rest of India by Start of 2024, Ladakh to Get 500 Towers: Ashwini Vaishnaw". News18. 25 March 2023. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  35. ^ "Railways Successful Trial Run on Worlds Highest Chenab Bridge in Kashmir". Zee News. 22 June 2024. Archived from the original on 22 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  36. ^ Porecha, Maitri (21 February 2024). "Plans to connect Kashmir with rest of India through rail pushed to July". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  37. ^ "Chenab Railway Bridge in J&K nears completion with golden joint". The Indian Express. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  38. ^ "J&K The railway bridge being built on the Chenab river will be 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower". 3 May 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  39. ^ "Kashmir To Get "Blast-Proof" World's Highest Railway Bridge Over River Chenab". The Eurasian Times. 28 December 2018. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
Allikas: Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chenab_Rail_Bridge
No tags for this post.