Chenab Bridge inauguration: will Kashmir’s economy finally get its long-awaited boost?

The inauguration of the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, marks a significant milestone for Jammu and Kashmir's economy. Part of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), this Rs 1,486 crore project was approved in 2003 and recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The bridge stands 359 metres high and has been described as the "biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history". Its construction overcame difficult topography, weather, and remote location challenges, with innovative approaches such as a "design-as-you-go approach" and automated site units including self-climbing cranes.

Economically, the bridge is expected to be a "game changer for the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the valley". It will serve as a new economic lifeline, facilitating faster transport of agricultural and horticultural products like apples, cherries, grapes, and apricots to markets in Mumbai and beyond within 24 to 36 hours, enabling farmers to fetch better prices.

Traders' outfits have urged the government to consider the economic impact and support the region accordingly. The bridge's inauguration coincided with the launch of the 63-km Katra-Sangaldan section of the USBRL and the flagging off of two special Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar, further enhancing connectivity.

The project also saw significant contributions from women engineers and experts like Professor G Madhavi Latha from IISc Bengaluru, who served as a geotechnical consultant for 17 years.

"It is a game changer for the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the valley. It's a new economic lifeline not only for Kashmir but also for the areas along the route," said officials.

"This new transportation mode will give a major boost to agriculture and horticulture. Products like apples, cherries, grapes, and apricots can now reach markets in Mumbai and elsewhere within 24 to 36 hours, fetching better prices," they added.

The Chenab Bridge is expected to transform the region's connectivity and economic prospects, finally delivering the long-awaited boost to Kashmir's economy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link. This Rs 1,486 crore project promises to boost Jammu and Kashmir's economy by improving transport for agriculture and horticulture products to distant markets.