In a landmark moment for India’s infrastructure, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge, now officially the world’s tallest railway arch bridge.

According to a Press Information Bureau (PIB) release, the bridge stands 359 meters (1,178 feet) above the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, surpassing the Eiffel Tower. Highlighting the bridge’s iconic stature, PM Modi remarked that while people travel to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, India now has its own towering marvel, one that will not only serve critical infrastructure needs but also emerge as a new tourist destination.

The Chenab Bridge is a centerpiece of the ₹43,780 crore ($5.3 billion) Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which seeks to integrate Kashmir with the rest of India’s rail network, according to PIB. Spanning 272 kilometers (169 miles), the USBRL includes 36 tunnels totalling 119 kilometers and 943 bridges, establishing all-weather, seamless rail connectivity through the Himalayan terrain. The initiative is expected to transform regional mobility and socio-economic integration in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Chenab Bridge itself stretches 1,315 meters (4,314 feet) and, as highlighted by the PIB, was engineered to endure extreme wind conditions and seismic activity. This ensures year-round operational safety in one of the most geologically challenging regions of the country.

“We have always invoked Maa Bharati with deep reverence, saying ‘from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.’ Today, this has become a reality even in our railway network,” exclaimed PM Modi, emphasizing that the USBRL is not just a name but a symbol of Jammu and Kashmir’s new strength and a testament to India’s engineering expertise and strategic resolve. He extended his best wishes and congratulated the people on this new era of growth and transformation.

PM Modi lauded the engineering brilliance behind the Chenab Bridge, calling it a testament to India’s ambition. Among the key contributors was Professor G. Madhavi Latha of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), who dedicated 17 years to ensuring the bridge’s stability in this challenging terrain. In a statement, IISc acknowledged her contributions, saying, “We are proud of Prof. Madhavi Latha and her team,” highlighting their work on slope stability, foundation design, and rock anchor systems to withstand natural hazards.

PM Modi also inaugurated the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-supported railway bridge — describing both structures as “living symbols of India’s strength,” rising from the rugged Pir Panjal Mountain range. He noted that these are not just steel structures but expressions of national vision, resilience, and ambition, now poised to become major tourist attractions as well.

Against the backdrop of recent security operations and accelerated infrastructure efforts, PM Modi framed the bridge as a powerful symbol of Jammu and Kashmir’s journey toward peace and prosperity. Enhanced rail connectivity, he said, will invigorate tourism, trade, and transportation across the region.

Local products such as apples, dry fruits, Pashmina shawls, and traditional handicrafts will now reach markets across India more efficiently — lowering costs and opening new opportunities for local businesses, he added.

During his address, PM Modi shared stories that underscored the transformative impact of the project. He recounted how, in the remote village of Sangaldan, a student noted that most villagers had only ever seen trains on screens — but soon, one would pass through their village. He also shared the story of a young girl who expressed excitement that the weather would no longer determine road closures, as year-round rail travel would finally become a reality.

Describing Jammu and Kashmir as “the crown of Mother India, adorned with dazzling jewels,” PM Modi praised the region’s rich traditions, spiritual heritage, biodiversity, and youthful talent. He reiterated his government’s long-term commitment to the upliftment and integration of the region, stating that these infrastructure projects are critical steps toward delivering lasting prosperity and opportunity to its people.

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