The world’s highest rail bridge that shall connect Jammu Kashmir to the rest of the country will be completed by next year as the government has set a fresh deadline for its completion.
The line is expected to be 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. Konkan Railway termed it as the most challenging project in post independent history of Indian railways.
“It is the most challenging task in the 150-year long history of Indian Railways. The highest railway bridge in the world connecting Jammu Kashmir to the rest of the country through a railway line will be completed by December 2021”, said Konkan Railway Chairman Sanjay Gupta.
”The construction of the rail bridge is the most challenging part, once completed it will be an engineering marvel”, Gupta said.
The massive arch shaped structure being constructed in the hostile terrain has used over 5,462 tonnes of steel, and will be 359 meters above the river bed.
The engineering marvel that withstands the wind speed of 260 km. per hour will connect Bakkal (Katra) and Kauri (Srinagar).
Once completed, it will surpass the record of Beipan river Shuibai railway bridge (China).
The rail link project is highly essential to provide an alternative and reliable transportation system to Jammu and Kashmir and to join the Kashmir Valley with the Indian Railway Network, Gupta said.
Looking at the seamless and hassle free connectivity that it will provide, the project was declared as a National Project in 2002, concluded Gupta.
