Why in NEWS
The Prime Minister inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge, enhancing all-weather railway connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir under the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
Key Concepts and Definitions
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Chenab Rail Bridge | World’s highest railway arch bridge built over the Chenab River. |
| Anji Khad Bridge | India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, built over Anji River. |
| USBRL Project | Strategic railway link connecting Jammu region with Kashmir Valley. |
| Cable-Stayed Bridge | A bridge in which the deck is supported by cables directly connected to towers. |
News Details
- Chenab Rail Bridge:
- Located in Reasi district, it stands 359 metres above the river bed—35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower.
- Built by Konkan Railway Corporation, with foundational input from IISc Bengaluru.
- Seismic safety validated by IIT Delhi and IIT Roorkee.
- DRDO certified it to be blast-proof.
- Engineered to withstand:
- Earthquakes up to magnitude 8
- Explosions up to 40 tonnes TNT
- Temperatures as low as -20°C
- Wind speeds of 266 km/h
- Unique feature: Can remain functional even if one of its eight piers fails.
- Anji Khad Bridge:
- India’s 1st cable-stayed rail bridge.
- 2nd highest railway bridge in India after Chenab Bridge.
- Spans the Anji River, a tributary of the Chenab.
- Strategic Significance:
- Both bridges are crucial components of the USBRL project, aimed at linking Kashmir to the national rail network year-round.
- Enhances military logistics, tourism, and economic integration.
- Chenab River:
- Also known as Chandrabhaga, it originates in Himachal Pradesh at the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers in Tandi.
- It is the largest tributary of the Indus River.
In a Nutshell (Memory Code)
“Chenab Tops Eiffel, Anji Cables Up”
- Chenab = Cable-free Arch Bridge (World’s highest)
- Anji = Advanced Cable-Stayed Design
- Tops Eiffel = Chenab is 35m taller than Eiffel Tower
- Cables Up = Anji uses upward cable suspension
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which of the following correctly matches the bridges with their features?
A. Chenab Bridge – Cable-stayed design
B. Anji Khad Bridge – Arch bridge
C. Chenab Bridge – Blast-proof, highest railway bridge
D. Anji Khad Bridge – Built over the Beas River - The Chenab River is formed by the confluence of which rivers?
A. Ravi and Beas
B. Chandra and Bhaga
C. Ganga and Yamuna
D. Jhelum and Indus - The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project aims to connect:
A. Delhi to Leh
B. Jammu to Ladakh
C. Udhampur to Srinagar and Baramulla
D. Manali to Srinagar
Answer Key with Explanation
| Qn | Correct Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Chenab Bridge is a blast-proof arch bridge; Anji is the cable-stayed one. |
| 2 | B | Chenab originates from Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi, Himachal Pradesh. |
| 3 | C | USBRL project connects Udhampur to Srinagar and Baramulla. |
