India Constructing World's Highest Railway Bridge

The world's highest railway bridge which is likely to be 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower is being constructed by Indian engineers over the Chenab River to link sections of the spectacular mountainous region of India's northern Jammu and Kashmir state. It is expected to be ready by 2016.

The bridge will connect Baramulla to Jammu in the Himalayan state with a travel time of six-and-a-half hours, almost half the time it currently takes.

The bridge is likely to be 359 metres (1,177 feet)and will surpass the world's tallest railway bridge which runs over the Beipanjiang River in China's Guizhou province and is 275 metres high.

The work on the bridge began in 2002 but the construction activities were stalled due to safety reasons. However, the work re-started again in 2008 once problems like dealing with the areas strong winds were addressed.

The 1,315-metre long bridge will use up to 25,000 tonnes of steel with some material being transported by helicopters due to the tough terrain. "One of the biggest challenges involved was constructing the bridge without obstructing the flow of the river," said a railways official.

The bridge is being built with meticulous care. "The design would ensure that it withstands seismic activities and high wind speeds," he said a railway official. Adding to that, he said, "It is an engineering marvel. We hope to get this bridge ready by December 2016,"

In this photograph, Indian labourers are seen working at the site of the under-construction world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river in Kauri in northern Jammu and Kashmir state.

This photgraph depicts a truck which is coming out of a tunnel near the site of the under-construction world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river in Kauri in northern Jammu and Kashmir state.

This photograph shows a general view of the world's highest railway bridge is pictured over the Chenab river in Kauri in northern Jammu and Kashmir state.