[ad_1]
USBRL, Chenab bridge inauguration: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated a key section of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project in Jammu & Kashmir. With today’s inauguration, Kashmir has finally been connected to the rest of India by an all-weather Indian Railways line.Notably, the Chenab bridge, which is the world’s highest railway arch bridge, has also been thrown open to railway traffic as part of the inauguration. Also, this stretch also has the Anji Khad bridge, which is Indian Railways’ first cable-stayed bridge.PM Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat Express train services between Katra and Srinagar. These trains will connect Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar railway stations through the Chenab bridge. The entire USBRL project is seen as an engineering marvel, built over several years, in the challenging Himalayan terrain.
USBRL Rail Project With Chenab, Anji Bridges & Vande Bharat Trains: Top Facts
1. The Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) stands as one of independent India’s most significant railway endeavours. This remarkable 272-kilometre railway network, constructed at ₹43,780 crore, traverses the challenging Himalayan terrain.2. The Indian Railways project has 36 tunnels extending across 119 kilometres, alongside 943 bridges that connect various valleys, ridges and mountain passes.3. This engineering achievement links isolated regions in Kashmir to the Indian Railways system, whilst fostering enhanced connectivity, commerce and tourism opportunities throughout Jammu and Kashmir.4. To enhance the rail connectivity’s effectiveness, a specially designed Vande Bharat Express service now operates between Katra and Srinagar.5. This particular train variant stands apart due to its specific adaptations for severe Himalayan winter conditions. It maintains efficient operations even when temperatures plunge to minus 20 degrees Celsius.6. The train’s specialised features, including heated windshields, sophisticated heating mechanisms and insulated toilet facilities, ensure year-round operations whilst maintaining passenger comfort.7. A dedicated snow clearance train will operate on this route to maintain uninterrupted services throughout the year.8. The installation of seismic dampers helps reduce vibrations and enhances passenger safety whilst travelling through this earthquake-prone region.9. The Chenab Rail Bridge, an extraordinary engineering achievement, reaches a height of 359 metres from the riverbed, claiming its position as the world’s highest railway arch bridge. This remarkable structure surpasses the Eiffel Tower by 35 metres in height. The Chenab bridge, stretching 1,315 metres, represents a crucial component of the Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Railway Link.
Chenab Bridge Facts
10. Engineered for resilience in challenging landscapes and severe weather conditions, the Chenab bridge demonstrates exceptional durability with its capacity to resist winds reaching 260 kilometres per hour and a projected lifespan of 120 years.11. Built at a cost of ₹1,486 crore, Chenab bridge showcases India’s engineering excellence. The construction incorporates specialised structural steel that functions effectively between minus 10 to 40 degrees Celsius, ensuring consistent performance throughout temperature variations.12. The steel welding utilised in the project exceeds 600 kilometres in length, surpassing the distance of the railway track from Jammu to Delhi.13. The advanced ‘Tekla’ software used for the Chena bridge facilitated precise structural detailing, guaranteeing accuracy in both design and construction phases.14. The introduction of Vande Bharat Express service across Chenab bridge will substantially decrease the journey duration between Katra and Srinagar to approximately three hours, offering a reduction of two to three hours from the current travel time.15. USBRL also has India’s longest transportation tunnel, T50, which spans 12.77 kilometres between Khari and Sumber in Jammu and Kashmir. The tunnel serves as a crucial connection, establishing continuous railway access between the Kashmir Valley and mainland India.16. The tunnel’s construction made use of the New Austrian Tunnelling Method, navigating through diverse geological formations comprising quartzite, gneiss and phyllite. The construction process encountered significant challenges, including substantial water seepage, ground instability, shear zones and fractured volcanic rock structures.17. The T50 tunnel has comprehensive surveillance through CCTV cameras positioned at 50-metre intervals. A central monitoring facility oversees all camera feeds to ensure operational efficiency and passenger safety.18. The Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, designated as T-80, spans 11.22 kilometres and holds the distinction of being India’s second-longest transportation tunnel, connecting Banihal and Qazigund.19. The T-44 tunnel, extending 11.13 kilometres between Sawalkote and Sangaldan, ranks as India’s third-longest railway tunnel.20. India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge is also part of the USBRL project. It extends across the challenging Himalayan landscape. This significant structure traverses the profound Anji River valley, positioned to the south of the Chenab, establishing a vital link in the Katra-Banihal portion of the Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Rail Line.
Anji Khad railway bridge
21. Located approximately 80 kilometres away from Jammu city, the magnificent Anji Khad bridge stands against a backdrop of snow-laden mountains. The structure rises 331 metres from the riverbed and extends 725 metres in length, supported by 96 high tensile cables.22. The central feature of the Anji Khad bridge is an inverted Y shaped pylon that extends 193 metres upwards from its base. The bridge utilises 653 kilometres of cable strand throughout its construction. The entire project reached completion in a swift period of 11 months.23. More than 8,200 metric tonnes of structural steel have been utilised in the construction of Anji Khad bridge providing robustness and longevity in an area characterised by young, dynamic mountains.24. The Anji Khad Bridge, constructed to withstand earthquakes, powerful winds and geological movements, stands as a remarkable achievement in engineering and exemplifies human determination and foresight.25. The railway network in Jammu and Kashmir has reached a notable milestone with complete electrification of all its tracks. This development represents a crucial advancement towards establishing an energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable rail transportation system throughout the region.
[ad_2]
Source link
About the author
Modi’s Asia Double Play: Japan Now, China Next — What India Wants (and Risks)
ndia has kicked off a tightly choreographed Asia tour at a delicate moment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Tokyo first, meeting Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, before flying to Tianjin for the SCO summit hosted by China. The sequencing matters: Japan is a steadfast strategic and economic partner; China is a rival with whom India still needs a functional modus vivendi. The backdrop? Up to 50% US tariffs on Indian exports, which raise the premium on diversified trade and investment ties. ReutersAP NewsThe Times of IndiaThe Guardian Why Japan first Tokyo and New Delhi are doubling down on a “special strategic and global partnership” built over two decades. Expect deliverables in economic security (critical minerals, supply chains), high-tech collaboration, and infrastructure. Reports suggest the leaders are setting a decade-long joint vision and pushing private-sector investment goals alongside people-to-people exchanges […]
Luxury skincare expansion: L’Oreal acquires majority stake in Medik8; announces 1 billion Euro deal
[ad_1] Cosmetics maker L’Oreal agreed to acquire a majority stake in British skincare brand Medik8, in a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the booming skincare market. The French beauty giant announced the deal on Monday, though financial terms were not disclosed.The transaction, which sees UK-based private equity firm Inflexion selling its majority holding, reportedly values Medik8 at around 1 billion Euro, according to a source familiar with the matter. Inflexion will retain a minority share, while L’Oreal has secured the option to eventually buy out all remaining shareholders, Reuters reported.“We are delighted to welcome Medik8 to the L’Oréal family. As a premium skincare range, with high levels of proven efficacy at an accessible price point, Medik8 perfectly complements our existing skincare portfolio,” Cyril Chaupuy, president of L’oreal Luxe said.“This acquisition further strengthens L’Oreal’s luxe portfolio, adding a premium […]
270 million pulled out of poverty! How Modi government achieved a remarkable dip in extreme poverty & what’s the road ahead? Explained
[ad_1] India’s GDP has more than doubled in the last decade, and experts believe that this has trickled down to the poorest. (AI image) Marking a big achievement over the last decade, extreme poverty in India has dropped substantially from 27.1% in 2011-12 to 5.3% in 2022-23, according to the latest World Bank data. The remarkable progress under the Narendra Modi government has come despite the World Bank raising its poverty threshold to $3 per person per day from $2.15 per person per day earlier.Incidentally, India’s huge reduction in extreme poverty comes at a time when globally there has been an increase in the number of people below the poverty line. According to a government fact sheet, India has emerged a statistical outlier in the positive direction.The latest data is being seen as a boost in the government’s economic growth […]
Ayodhya land prices: Circle rates revised first time in 8 years; soar up to 200%
[ad_1] For the first time in eight years, Ayodhya has seen a sharp revision in its circle rates, with property prices rising between 30% and 200% across various parts of the district, officials told PTI.The prices are particularly steep within a 10-kilometre radius of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, an area witnessing a real estate boom fuelled by religious tourism and rapid infrastructure growth. Here, circle rates have jumped over 150%, pushing land values in the prime zone to Rs 26,600–27,900 per square metre, compared to Rs 6,650–6,975 earlier.Shanti Bhushan Chaubey, sub-registrar of Sadar (Faizabad) tehsil, said the hike followed a proposal submitted last September. “After addressing objections, the new circle rates were approved by District Magistrate Tikaram Funde and have now been enforced,” he said.According to Chaubey, the sharpest hikes were recorded in areas with the most land activity. “Localities […]
China exports: Global shipments rose 4.8% in May; inflow to US falls nearly 35% amid trade talks
[ad_1] China’s export growth lost momentum in May, rising 4.8% year-on-year, a sharp slowdown from the 8.1% surge recorded in April, as per the customs data released on Monday.The deceleration came amid a sharp drop in shipments to the United States, down 35% year-on-year, as tensions between the two economic giants continued to cloud trade prospects.The figures were released just hours ahead of another round of US-China trade negotiations scheduled for later in the day, in London. These talks come after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week. Zichun Huang of Capital Economics anticipated exports growth to revive in June, thanks to a 90-day suspension on most of the tariffs the two countries have imposed on each other.China’s imports also fell in May, down 3.4% year-on-year, leaving the country with a trade […]
Tata Motors future plans: Rs 33,000-35,000 crore investment to boost passenger vehicles; hoping to lead in EV segment
[ad_1] Automaking giant Tata Motors is planning massive investment plans for the future, earmarking Rs 33,000 crore to Rs 35,000 crore for FY 26-30 on product actions. The Mumbai-headquartered company is targeting 30 product actions, including the launch of seven new models, as it looks to sharpen its competitive edge in India’s fast-evolving passenger vehicle (PV) market.As part of its long-term strategy, the automaker aims to secure a 16% market share, including electric vehicles (EVs), by FY27, rising to 18–20% over the next few years. Tata Motors expects the domestic PV industry to hit annual sales of 60 lakh units by 2030 and is positioning itself to ride that wave with a refreshed and expansive portfolio.“Looking ahead, we will strengthen our portfolio by FY30...7 new nameplates and 23 product refreshes will holistically enhance the portfolio,” the company told analysts in […]
Related
US Tariffs vs. India’s Trade Diplomacy: How New Alliances Are Shaping
India’s global trade playbook has shifted abruptly in 2025. The US recently imposed tariffs as high as 50% on Indian exports, citing New Delhi’s continued oil imports from Russia. The immediate fallout was brutal: the rupee sank to a record low, and Indian markets felt the shock. For a country that built its post-1991 trajectory on closer US ties, this tariff punch could have been destabilising. Instead, India is doubling down on multi-alignment diplomacy — diversifying trade and diplomatic engagement with Japan, China, Russia, and the SCO bloc. Why tariffs hit hard The US remains a top destination for Indian goods — from IT services to textiles. Tariffs of this magnitude erode competitiveness and raise uncertainty for exporters. Analysts warn of job impacts in labour-intensive sectors. The rupee’s plunge to historic lows only underscored the vulnerability. India’s counter-strategy Japan: Securing […]
Reliance AGM 2025: Jio IPO Timeline, New AI Subsidiary, and What It Means
Reliance Industries’ AGM has again doubled as India’s tech-policy bellwether. The biggest headline: Jio will file for an IPO in the first half of 2026, a move that could be among the largest listings on Dalal Street and a pivotal unlock of value for Reliance shareholders. In parallel, the company announced a dedicated AI subsidiary aimed at building domestic AI infrastructure and services. Reutersmint+1NDTV Profit Jio IPO: Why the timing matters Analysts have long argued that Jio’s value is partially buried within the conglomerate structure. A separate listing could surface value for a digital-and-telecom pure play with 500M+ users, deep fiber, and growing home broadband. International coverage pegs potential valuations in the eleven-digit-USD range if growth and ARPU trends hold through 2026. The listing window — H1 2026 — provides time to polish metrics, expand revenue lines (enterprise, broadband, OTT), […]
E20 Petrol in India: Green Revolution or Hidden Scam?
For the past few years, India has been pushing hard towards adopting alternative fuels and reducing its dependency on imported crude oil. One of the most talked-about initiatives is the rollout of E20 petrol, which is a blend of 80% petrol and 20% ethanol. On paper, this looks like a revolutionary step — it’s designed to reduce carbon emissions, cut down fuel imports, and boost ethanol demand that directly benefits Indian farmers. But there’s a rising question among common people: If E20 petrol contains only 80% petrol, why are we still paying the same price as regular petrol? Shouldn’t the price be lower since 20% of the mix is ethanol, which is significantly cheaper to produce compared to crude oil-based petrol? This is where many start suspecting that the promotion of E20 might not be as transparent as it seems. […]
Luxury skincare expansion: L’Oreal acquires majority stake in Medik8; announces 1 billion Euro deal
[ad_1] Cosmetics maker L’Oreal agreed to acquire a majority stake in British skincare brand Medik8, in a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the booming skincare market. The French beauty giant announced the deal on Monday, though financial terms were not disclosed.The transaction, which sees UK-based private equity firm Inflexion selling its majority holding, reportedly values Medik8 at around 1 billion Euro, according to a source familiar with the matter. Inflexion will retain a minority share, while L’Oreal has secured the option to eventually buy out all remaining shareholders, Reuters reported.“We are delighted to welcome Medik8 to the L’Oréal family. As a premium skincare range, with high levels of proven efficacy at an accessible price point, Medik8 perfectly complements our existing skincare portfolio,” Cyril Chaupuy, president of L’oreal Luxe said.“This acquisition further strengthens L’Oreal’s luxe portfolio, adding a premium […]
270 million pulled out of poverty! How Modi government achieved a remarkable dip in extreme poverty & what’s the road ahead? Explained
[ad_1] India’s GDP has more than doubled in the last decade, and experts believe that this has trickled down to the poorest. (AI image) Marking a big achievement over the last decade, extreme poverty in India has dropped substantially from 27.1% in 2011-12 to 5.3% in 2022-23, according to the latest World Bank data. The remarkable progress under the Narendra Modi government has come despite the World Bank raising its poverty threshold to $3 per person per day from $2.15 per person per day earlier.Incidentally, India’s huge reduction in extreme poverty comes at a time when globally there has been an increase in the number of people below the poverty line. According to a government fact sheet, India has emerged a statistical outlier in the positive direction.The latest data is being seen as a boost in the government’s economic growth […]
Ayodhya land prices: Circle rates revised first time in 8 years; soar up to 200%
[ad_1] For the first time in eight years, Ayodhya has seen a sharp revision in its circle rates, with property prices rising between 30% and 200% across various parts of the district, officials told PTI.The prices are particularly steep within a 10-kilometre radius of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, an area witnessing a real estate boom fuelled by religious tourism and rapid infrastructure growth. Here, circle rates have jumped over 150%, pushing land values in the prime zone to Rs 26,600–27,900 per square metre, compared to Rs 6,650–6,975 earlier.Shanti Bhushan Chaubey, sub-registrar of Sadar (Faizabad) tehsil, said the hike followed a proposal submitted last September. “After addressing objections, the new circle rates were approved by District Magistrate Tikaram Funde and have now been enforced,” he said.According to Chaubey, the sharpest hikes were recorded in areas with the most land activity. “Localities […]
Be the first to leave a comment