The Anji Khad Bridge stands as a monumental achievement in India's infrastructure landscape, marking a historic milestone as the country’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. Situated in the challenging terrain of the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, this engineering marvel is a critical component of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. Conceived to provide robust, all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley, the bridge addresses a long-standing need for dependable transportation in one of India’s most geologically and climatically demanding regions. Its successful completion and inauguration symbolize India's burgeoning engineering prowess and its unwavering commitment to overcoming formidable natural obstacles through innovation and sheer determination.
For decades, the Kashmir Valley has grappled with limited connectivity, particularly during harsh winters and monsoon seasons when road access is frequently disrupted by heavy snowfall and landslides. The broader vision for a railway line to connect Jammu with the Kashmir valley dates back to the late 1970s, with the aim of linking Kashmir with the rest of the Indian railway network and boosting economic activity in the region. This railway line was also intended to serve as a strategic link to the Kashmir region throughout the year, especially given that roads are often cut off during winters. The foundation stone for this ambitious project was laid in 1983, though substantial construction only commenced in the mid-1990s when funds were allocated. Initial sections, such as the Jammu–Udhampur stretch, opened in April 2005, followed by the Baramulla to Banihal line in Kashmir between 2008 and 2013, and the Udhampur to Katra section in July 2014.
However, the section between Katra and Srinagar presented unique challenges, necessitating the crossing of deep gorges formed by the Chenab River and its tributaries. A survey conducted in 1997 identified the need for numerous tunnels and bridges to traverse the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas. The Anji Khad Bridge was specifically proposed over the Anji River, a tributary of the Chenab River, about 23 km north of Katra, towards Reasi. Initially, an arch bridge with a total length of 473 meters, a main arch span of 265 meters, and a deck height of 189 meters was considered. However, an Indian Railways committee recommended against this design due to the unstable geology of the location and the steepness of the gorge. This critical assessment led to the decision in October 2016 to proceed with a cable-stayed bridge, a design better suited to the region's complex geotechnical and meteorological conditions. This shift paved the way for an unprecedented engineering challenge, requiring innovative solutions to span a deep gorge amidst complex geographical and meteorological conditions.
The Anji Khad Bridge is a true engineering marvel, distinguished by its sophisticated design tailored for unparalleled resilience and safety. Its comprehensive plan consists of four segments, contributing to its total length of 725.5 meters (2,380 ft). These segments include a 38-meter (125 ft) long approach viaduct on the Katra side, the 473.25-meter (1,552.7 ft) main cable-stayed segment spanning across the river gorge, a 120-meter (390 ft) viaduct on the Reasi side, and a 94.25-meter (309.2 ft) long embankment connecting the main cable-stayed segment to the viaduct. Towering 331 meters (1,086 ft) above the riverbed at its highest point, the bridge is recognized as the second-highest railway bridge in India, surpassed only by the Chenab Rail Bridge. While the bridge deck soars approximately 196 meters above the Anji River, demonstrating its immense scale within the valley, the pylon itself rises 331 meters above the riverbed.
At its heart stands a single 193-meter (633 ft) high inverted Y-shaped pylon on the Reasi side, which climbs above its foundation. This pylon anchors 96 steel cables of varying lengths, ranging from 82 meters (269 ft) to 295 meters (968 ft), providing crucial stability and strength to the structure. The selection of a cable-stayed design was critical for navigating the deep gorge and the unstable slopes, offering the necessary flexibility and resilience to the structure. The total length of cable strand utilized in the bridge's construction is an impressive 653 kilometers, with over 8,200 metric tonnes of structural steel contributing to its strength and durability. Beyond carrying a railway line, designed to handle train speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph), the bridge also incorporates a 3.75-meter (12.3 ft) wide service lane and 1.5-meter (4 ft 11 in) wide footpaths on both sides.
Building in the young fold mountains of the Himalayas presented extremely complex, fragile, and daunting geological features, including faults, folds, and thrusts, alongside varying rock strata and steep mountainous slopes. The region's seismic proneness further necessitated rigorous safety measures. To address these challenges, the Anji Khad Bridge was meticulously engineered to withstand exceptionally high wind speeds of up to 213 kilometers per hour (132 mph) and incorporate robust seismic resistance features. Detailed studies on site-specific earthquake parameters were conducted by IIT Roorkee, and the bridge's design included a large number of sensors to continuously monitor its behavior during seismic activity. An advanced integrated monitoring system with numerous sensors tracks the structural health and performance of the bridge over time, ensuring its long-term safety and durability. Furthermore, the bridge incorporates state-of-the-art dampers to absorb vibration and wind loads, alongside a unique anchoring system. These innovations ensure that the bridge remains functional and secure even under extreme weather or geological disturbances.
The construction of the Anji Khad Bridge was undertaken by Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), with work commencing in 2017, initially scheduled for completion within 36 months. The project faced immense logistical complexities, requiring innovative construction methodologies and materials due to the challenging environment. Key aspects of the construction journey included:
- Slope stabilization of the mountain slopes surrounding the river gorge to ensure adequate support for the main pylon, a crucial step given the fragile geology.
- Utilizing the DOKA jump form shuttering system, a modern and efficient concrete forming method.
- Importing a 40-tonne tower crane from Spain, capable of extension to 205 meters (673 ft), to facilitate construction and material handling in the remote and rugged location.
- The significant milestone of completing the pylon construction in March 2021.
- The successful installation of all cables by April 2023, marking a near completion of the main structure.
The design and construction adhered to various national and global standards and codes, with comprehensive stability and seismic analysis conducted by eminent institutions like IIT Delhi and IIT Roorkee. The project's quality and progress were rigorously supervised by the Italian company ITALFERR, part of the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane group, with proofing done by the British company COWI, ensuring international best practices were followed. The estimated cost of the project was ₹4.58 billion (US$54 million).
The journey towards operationalization included successful trial runs of a tower wagon, demonstrating the bridge's readiness for rail services. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw proudly shared a video of the "engineering marvel," highlighting its groundbreaking nature. Trial runs on the bridge began in August 2023 and continued into 2024, leading up to its full readiness. The culmination of these extensive efforts was the official opening of the bridge for regular traffic on June 6, 2025, a momentous occasion inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While one source mentioned an inauguration in June 2023, the overwhelming consensus among multiple sources points to the full operational opening for regular traffic in June 2025, solidifying this date as the bridge's full operational commencement.
The inauguration of the Anji Khad Bridge marks a pivotal moment for Jammu and Kashmir, promising a significant transformation in regional connectivity and development. Its operationalization is expected to bring about profound benefits:
- Drastically reduce travel time between Katra and Srinagar, offering a more efficient and comfortable journey compared to existing road routes often susceptible to blockades and disruptions due to weather or landslides.
- Boost tourism, trade, and overall socio-economic integration in the region, by enabling seamless transportation of goods and people and unlocking new opportunities for local communities. This improved accessibility is a significant catalyst for economic vibrancy.
- Integrate previously isolated areas into the national railway network, providing reliable access to essential services, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for residents of remote areas that were often cut off for months during winter.
- Hold strategic importance for national security and regional development, ensuring fast movement of personnel and supplies through otherwise isolated terrain, especially crucial for defense and disaster relief.
The Anji Khad Bridge is more than just a piece of infrastructure; it is a symbol of progress, connectivity, and national unity. Its successful completion reinforces India’s commitment to equitable development and regional integration, demonstrating the country’s ability to execute complex infrastructure projects in challenging environments using indigenous expertise and cutting-edge technology. It exemplifies a shift in approach—where challenging natural environments are met not with avoidance but with innovation and resolve. As trains now traverse this magnificent structure, they carry with them the promise of a more connected and prosperous future for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, ushering in an era of enhanced accessibility, economic vibrancy, and social integration. The legacy of the Anji Khad Bridge will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration for future engineering endeavors in challenging topographies, solidifying India's position on the global map for complex infrastructure development, and paving the way for a stronger, more connected, and more resilient future for the Kashmir Valley and the nation.
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