India completes its first cable-stayed railway bridge in J&K

New Delhi: India has achieved a major milestone with the completion of its first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.

Indian Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the completion of the bridge, stating that all 96 cables have been set. The bridge was constructed in just 11 months, according to sources.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the completion of India's first cable-stayed rail bridge.

In response to Union Cabinet Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw's tweet informing the completion of the bridge, the PM lauded the project.

The Union Minister informed that the bridge was completed in 11 months and the total length of cable strand used in the bridge is 653 km.

Earlier on Thursday, Union State Minister of Railways and Textiles, Darshana Jardosh visited the Bridge and praised everyone associated with the project.

"The majestic Anji Khad bridge in Jammu and Kashmir - India's first cable-stayed Rail Bridge. Visited the bridge site and congratulated everyone for successfully installing all 96 cables of the bridge in a record time of 11 months", Minister Jardosh shared on Twitter.

She further said, "This asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge crosses the deep gorges of Anji River, a tributary of river Chenab. The bridge connects tunnel T2 on the Katra side and tunnel T3 on the Reasi side and is a part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line project."

The Anji Khad Bridge is a single-line railway track that includes a 3.75-metre-wide service road. It spans 725 metres, with a 473-metre-long asymmetric cable-stayed bridge balanced on the axis of a central pylon that is 193 metres tall from the foundation's top. The bridge is situated on the Anji Khad, a tributary of the Chenab River.

The Anji Khad Bridge is a true engineering marvel, as its completion was a significant challenge due to the challenging topography of the location.