Industrialist Anand Mahindra has expressed his amazement after sharing a video of the Vande Bharat Express gliding over the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. While he was not traveling on the train himself, Mahindra described the journey as a breathtaking experience, highlighting the bridge as a remarkable engineering achievement.Posting the clip on X, Mahindra wrote: “Vande Bharat gliding across the Chenab Rail bridge. The world’s highest railway arch bridge. Some journeys are transportation from point A to point B. Some are experiences. This one has definitely made it to my bucket list.”The video quickly drew attention, as viewers were captivated by the sight of India’s flagship high-speed train crossing the massive steel arch suspended high above the Chenab River.— anandmahindra (@anandmahindra) A Marvel of Engineering in the HimalayasAs per BBC, the Chenab Rail Bridge, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, stands 359 metres (1,178 feet) above the riverbed—making it taller than the Eiffel Tower. Its steel arch stretches 467 metres, and the total bridge length is 1,315 metres, making it the tallest and longest railway arch bridge of its type in the world.Constructing the bridge in the rugged Himalayan terrain posed a significant challenge. Engineers had to carefully launch 93 deck segments from both sides of the valley, each weighing around 85 tonnes, and assemble them using nearly six lakh bolts across 17 spans. The structure incorporates over 28,000 tonnes of steel and is designed to endure wind speeds exceeding 266 kmph and earthquakes up to magnitude 8.A Strategic and Practical LinkThe bridge connects the villages of Bakkal and Kauri and forms a crucial segment of the 272-kilometre USBRL line, which aims to provide all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley. Road access to the region often faces disruptions during winter due to heavy snowfall, making the railway link especially vital.Originally approved in 2003 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the bridge took more than two decades to complete. Experts have also noted that the railway line provides strategic advantages in a region that has historically been sensitive due to border tensions and security challenges.Vande Bharat Now on the RouteIndia’s Vande Bharat Express now runs across the bridge on the Katra–Srinagar route. While Mahindra experienced it virtually through the shared video, rail passengers on the train are now able to enjoy both the scenic beauty and the engineering marvel up close. With modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, infotainment, and onboard food services, the route adds convenience along with breathtaking views.