Chenab Bridge
Why in News
Recently, Indian Railways completed the arch closure of the iconic Chenab Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir.
About Chenab Bridge:
It is the world's highest railway bridge and is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project (USBRL).
The Project was declared as a Project of National Importance in March 2002.
This bridge is 1,315-metre long and is the highest railway bridge in the world being 359 metres above the river bed level.
The completion of the steel arch is a major leap towards the completion of the 111 km long winding stretch from Katra to Banihal.
It is arguably the biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history.
Unique Features of this Bridge:
Bridge designed to withstand high wind speed up to 266 Km/Hour.
Bridge designed for blast load in consultation with DRDO for the first time in India.
Bridge designed to bear earthquake forces of highest intensity zone-V in India.
First time on Indian Railways, Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing machine used for testing of welds.
First time on Indian Railways, National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited lab established at site for weld testing.
Extensive health monitoring and warning systems planned through state of art instrumentation.
CHENAB RIVER
Source: It rises in the upper Himalayas in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh state.
The river is formed by the confluence of two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga.
The Bhaga river originates from Surya taal lake, which is situated a few kilometers west of the Bara-lacha la pass in Himachal Pradesh.
The Chandra river originates from glaciers east of the same pass (near Chandra Taal).
Flows Through: It flows through the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir into the plains of Punjab, Pakistan, before flowing into the Indus River.
Some of the important projects/dams on Chenab:
- Ratle Hydro Electric Project
- Salal Dam-hydroelectric power project near Reasi
- Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Plant- power project in Kishtwar District
- Pakal Dul Dam ( under construction)- on a tributary Marusadar River in Kishtwar District.
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