Construction Mirror Article detail

India is on the cusp of a major infrastructure milestone with the upcoming inauguration of the Anji Khad Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, a project that promises to transform regional connectivity and engineering history. Located in the Reasi district, the Anji Khad Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge and forms a crucial link in the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which aims to provide seamless rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley. Constructed by Hindustan Construction Company, this engineering marvel spans the deep and rugged Anji River gorge, showcasing the prowess of Indian civil engineering in tackling some of the country’s most challenging terrains. The bridge stands as the second-highest railway bridge in India, only surpassed by the nearby Chenab Bridge, which is also part of the USBRL project and holds the distinction of being the world’s highest railway bridge. The Anji Khad Bridge is not only vital from an infrastructural perspective but also strategically important, facilitating faster and safer movement for passengers and freight in the region. Its completion brings the much-anticipated Vande Bharat Express service closer to reality for Jammu and Kashmir, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to flag off the train service between Katra and Srinagar on April 19, 2025. This route will take passengers across both the Anji Khad and Chenab bridges, symbolizing a new era of development and integration for the region. The bridge’s opening underscores the central government’s commitment to strengthening national unity through connectivity and represents a significant step forward in the long-standing efforts to bridge the infrastructural divide in India’s northernmost territories.