Jammu, June 9, 2025 – The Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, has become a sensation among air travellers flying to Srinagar and Jammu. Pilots are making special in-flight announcements, alerting passengers to the stunning view of the 359-meter-tall engineering marvel spanning the Chenab River in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir. This has sparked a frenzy among passengers, who rush to capture photographs and videos of the iconic structure, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, from the aircraft windows.
According to a railway ministry statement, pilots flying over the Chenab Valley announce, “Below you is the world’s tallest railway-arch bridge, the Chenab Bridge,” prompting passengers to eagerly document the sight. “The moment the pilot made the announcement, my 11-year-old son lit up and took a picture. Even my wife was thrilled,” said Shubham, a professional traveling to Srinagar. Over 10,000 air passengers are estimated to have viewed the bridge from the air within two days of its inauguration, turning flights into aerial galleries for this architectural wonder.
The excitement over the Chenab Bridge coincides with a severe heatwave sweeping the Jammu region, with Samba recording a blistering 43.9°C and Jammu city reaching 42.7°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert, warning of continued high temperatures until at least June 11. Despite the scorching conditions on the ground, the aerial view of the Chenab Bridge offers a moment of awe for travellers, with its 1,315-meter span and ability to withstand seismic activity and winds up to 266 km/h.
The bridge, constructed for Rs 1,456 crore, is a testament to India’s engineering prowess, designed to endure extreme Himalayan conditions and temperatures ranging from -10°C to 40°C. It connects Katra to Srinagar via Vande Bharat Express trains, slashing travel time to under three hours. The structure’s significance extends beyond connectivity, boosting tourism and regional development, especially after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which impacted Kashmir’s tourism sector.
Social media posts on X highlight the bridge’s allure, with users sharing images and videos of the structure from flights, amplifying its status as a national pride symbol. As passengers capture this “man-made wonder,” the Chenab Bridge is not only a railway milestone but also a visual spectacle uniting air and rail travel in Jammu and Kashmir.
