Patna : Travelling to the valleys of Kashmir by train from Patna is now a reality, following the completion of Indian Railways’ landmark Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. This development is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which has successfully connected Srinagar with the rest of India by rail — including direct accessibility from cities like Patna.
The engineering feat, located in Reasi district, includes the world’s highest railway bridge, soaring 359 metres above the Chenab River and stretching 1,315 metres in length. Built by Konkan Railway Corporation at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore, the bridge is designed to last 120 years and withstand wind speeds up to 266 km/h. Over 28,000 metric tonnes of steel and advanced expertise from IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi were used in its construction.
Pilgrims and tourists from Bihar can now travel to Jammu by trains such as the Archana Express or Himgiri Express, and continue onward to Srinagar via the new rail link, including travel on the Vande Bharat Express.
In parallel, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge in Anji, also part of the USBRL corridor, connects Katra and Reasi. Standing 331 metres tall and supported by 96 steel cables, the 725-metre-long Anji bridge further strengthens connectivity in the region.
With improved rail infrastructure and 225 km of new roads linking 73 villages near the Chenab Bridge, the long-standing isolation of Kashmir is giving way to enhanced accessibility, promising both spiritual journeys and tourism-driven growth.
