Kashmir, the beautiful heaven on Earth will now be connected with the rest of India by the Railway Network. An extensive railway network will be laid down by the end of the year 2021. For those people who couldn't visit the beautiful state of Jammu and Kashmir because of the poor connectivity can now enjoy a vacation in the valley soon.

The project of constructing the World's Highest Railway Bridge is underway and will be completed by December 2021. This railway line will be around 35 m taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. As per the statement of the Konkan Railway authorities, this project is till now, the most challenging project in the history of the Indian Railways since Independence. The Indian government has updated the deadline for the completion of the railway project from June 2022 to December 2021.

"It is the most challenging project in the 150-year-long history of the Indian railways. The highest railway bridge in the world, that will connect Kashmir with the rest of India through the rail line will be completed by December 2021," Mr. Sanjay Gupta, Chairman of Konkan Railway said in a statement.

He further added that the construction of the Chenab bridge is the most challenging task of the whole Kashmir Rail link project. But at the same time, after the completion of the bridge, it will be recognized globally as an engineering marvel.

The massive arch-shaped structure is under construction in a terrain that is hostile. Over 5462 tonnes of steel is going to be placed around 359 m above the river bed. This is one of the most challenging tasks.

The bridge is 1.315-km-long and is designed such that it can bear wind speeds of up to 260 km per hour. The Chenab bridge has been designed in consideration of the extreme climate prevalent in Kashmir. The task of construction of the bridge is challenging as well due to the extreme climate.

The Bridge will be connecting Bakkal in Katra and Kauri in Srinagar.

The bridge is forming a crucial link in the complete 111-km stretch between Katra and Banihal (a part of the Udhampur- Srinagar - Baramulla rail link project). The project is split between the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited with 53.66 km and the rest with IRCON. Once the project is completed, it will be breaking the record of the Beipan River Shuibai railway bridge (275 m) located in China. 

The Katra-Banihal stretch is about 70 percent completed. It has been reported that the town of Banihal is the closest one to Kashmir that has proper access to internet services.

The Kashmir Rail Link project had been declared a national project in the year 2002, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project is a very crucial one, as this is going to be an alternative and a reliable transportation system that will be connecting the Kashmir valley to the Indian Railways network.

This Railway Network will surely help in providing a good travel network to the people living all over the country.

Also read:- Unravel the breathtaking beauty of Pahalgam Kashmir

image source-beaveronline.co.uk