Chenab bridge faces safety questions ahead of R-Day launch

World's tallest rail bridge bypasses mandatory load-deflection test and risks becoming a symbol of mismanagement

- RASHME SEHGAL

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line, crucial for linking Kashmir to the rest of India, is set to be inaugurated for passenger services by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 26, 2025. However, concerns loom large as the Chenab Bridge—the tallest rail bridge in the world—has not undergone the mandatory load-deflection test, a critical safety measure.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has touted the Chenab Bridge as 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower, but structural stability questions remain. The Shreedharan Committee had earlier raised alarms about the safety of the bridge, which spans a 359-meter-deep gorge. The committee noted that the rock slopes on either side of the bridge were highly unstable, making it nearly impossible to ensure their long-term reliability, even with the best global design techniques.

Originally scheduled for completion in 2006, the bridge was delayed until 2024 due to these challenges. A trial run of an eight-coach passenger train was conducted on June 20, 2024, but no load-deflection tests have been performed. These tests are vital for assessing a bridge's capacity to withstand heavy loads, earthquakes, high-velocity winds, and hydrological impacts.