🚆 Anji Khad Bridge – India’s First Cable-Stayed Rail Bridge
India’s railway network continues to achieve engineering milestones, and the Anji Khad Bridge – India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge – is the latest crown jewel. Located in the mountainous Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir, this architectural marvel is part of the prestigious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and symbolises India's engineering excellence.
Let’s explore the salient features, strategic significance, and what makes this project historic.
📍 What is the Anji Khad Bridge?
The Anji Khad Bridge is a cable-stayed rail bridge constructed across the Anji River, a tributary of the Chenab River, situated between Katra and Reasi. It plays a key role in enhancing rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley and is the first structure of its kind in Indian Railways' history.
🛠️ Salient Features of Anji Khad Bridge
Some of key features of this bridge is as follows:
1. First Cable-Stayed Railway Bridge in India
The Anji Khad Bridge proudly holds the distinction of being the first cable-stayed rail bridge in India, making it a pioneer in design and execution.
2. Bridge Dimensions
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Cable-stayed railway bridge (First in India) |
| Total Length | 725.5 meters |
| Main Span | 473.25 meters |
| Deck Height | 196 meters above the river bed |
| Pylon Height | 193 meters |
| Cables | 96 cables of varying lengths (82–295 meters) |
| Design | Asymmetrical with a single pylon on the Reasi end |
| Monitoring | Real-time structural health monitoring system |
| Seismic Resistance | Engineered to withstand earthquakes and extreme wind |
3. Asymmetrical Design
The bridge uses a single central pylon—anchored securely on the Reasi side—supporting the deck using multiple cables, making it asymmetrical but structurally sound.
4. Foundation & Construction Complexity
Due to geological challenges, engineers adopted a hybrid foundation design, combining open and pile foundations, especially on the Katra end.
5. Monitoring & Safety
Seismic Resistant
Built to withstand seismic activity common in the Himalayan region. Equipped with an integrated health monitoring system for structural integrity checks.
🌍 Importance of the Anji Khad Bridge
✅ 1. Strategic Rail Connectivity
The bridge is a vital part of the USBRL project, connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India via an all-weather railway line—a lifeline for local populations and defense logistics.
✅ 2. Boost to Economy & Tourism
By linking isolated regions like Reasi and Katra, the bridge will enhance tourism, promote trade, and generate job opportunities in Jammu & Kashmir.
✅ 3. National Security
This infrastructure ensures faster mobilisation of security forces and equipment, especially during emergencies, improving India's preparedness in a sensitive border region.
✅ 4. Engineering Advancement
India joins a select group of countries that have successfully constructed rail cable-stayed bridges in mountainous terrain, setting new benchmarks in railway engineering.
🔍 Anji Khad vs. Chenab Bridge
While the Chenab Bridge is the world’s highest railway arch bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, and together they form the backbone of the USBRL line, reinforcing India’s railway capabilities in Himalayan terrain.
✨ Conclusion
The Anji Khad Bridge is more than just a link between two points—it’s a symbol of India’s bold strides in infrastructure, national integration, and regional development. As the first cable-stayed rail bridge in India, it sets the stage for future innovations in high-altitude railway engineering.
Stay tuned as trains soon begin to glide across this awe-inspiring bridge, connecting dreams, destinations, and a better tomorrow.
