Indian Railways is set to unveil a groundbreaking engineering marvel, the Anji Khad Rail Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge. Built in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district under the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, the bridge connects Katra and Reasi, promising enhanced connectivity and a boost to regional tourism.
Key Features of the Anji Khad Rail Bridge
- Engineering Challenges:
- Constructed in the geologically complex Himalayan region with faults, folds, and seismic activity.
- Site-specific investigations carried out by IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi.
- Structural Highlights:
- Total length: 725.5 m.
- Single main pylon: 193 m high, standing at 331 m above the riverbed.
- Divided into four parts:
- A 120 m ancillary viaduct on the Reasi side.
- A 38 m approach bridge on the Katra end.
- A 473.25 m cable-stayed portion spanning the valley.
- A 94.25 m central embankment.
- Deck width: 15 m, with a single railway line, a 3.75 m service road, and 1.5 m footpaths on each side.
- Supported by 96 cables, with lengths varying from 82 m to 295 m.
- Safety and Efficiency:
- Designed to handle 213 km/h wind speeds and enable a train speed of 100 km/h.
- Utilised advanced techniques like DOKA Jump form shuttering and tower cranes from Spain, saving 30% construction time.
- Equipped with an integrated monitoring system using multiple sensors for structural health monitoring.
Global Collaboration
The bridge’s Detailed Design and Construction Supervision (DDC) was managed by Italian firm ITALFERR, with proof-checking by UK-based COWI. The design incorporates Indian codes integrated with Eurocodes, ensuring robust and sustainable construction.
Tourism and Connectivity
As part of the USBRL project, the Anji Khad Rail Bridge will serve as a critical link between Katra and the Kashmir Valley, revolutionizing transportation and fostering economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir. Once operational, the bridge is expected to enhance accessibility and boost tourism in the region.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sandeep Gupta confirmed that the section is ready for operation, pending inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS).
“The whole section is ready for operation, and after train inspection by CRS, we will plan for train operation between Katra and Srinagar,” Gupta said.