Dr. Madhavi Latha And The Chenab Bridge: Engineering The World’s Highest Railway Marvel

Dr. Madhavi Latha

On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, spanning the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. This monumental structure, part of the ambitious 272 km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), stands as a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. At the heart of this engineering triumph is Dr. G. Madhavi Latha, a geotechnical engineering professor whose expertise helped conquer the formidable challenges of this project.

Dr. G. Madhavi Latha: The Geotechnical Pioneer

Dr. G. Madhavi Latha, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has dedicated 17 years to the Chenab Bridge project as a geotechnical consultant. Her academic journey began with a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from JNTU in 1992, followed by an M.Tech in Geotechnical Engineering from NIT Warangal, where she earned a gold medal. She completed her PhD at IIT Madras in 2000, cementing her expertise in geotechnical engineering.

Recognized as the Best Woman Geotechnical Researcher by the Indian Geotechnical Society in 2021 and featured among the “Top 75 Women in STEAM” in India in 2022, Dr. Latha’s contributions to the Chenab Bridge are among her most impactful. Her work addressed the complex geotechnical challenges posed by the rugged Himalayan terrain, ensuring the bridge’s stability and safety.

The Chenab Bridge: An Engineering Feat

Described by the government as the “biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history,” the Chenab Bridge is a marvel of modern engineering. Located in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, it spans 1,315 meters across the Chenab River gorge, with a deck height of 359 meters—35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. The bridge comprises a 530-meter approach bridge and a 785-meter deck arch bridge, making it the highest rail and arch bridge in the world.

Constructed at a cost of ₹14.86 billion (US$180 million), the bridge was overseen by the Konkan Railway Corporation. Construction began in 2017, with base supports completed by November 2017 and the arch finalized by April 2021. The project reached completion in August 2022, followed by successful trial runs in June 2024, culminating in its inauguration in June 2025.

The Jammu-Baramulla Railway Project

The Chenab Bridge is a critical component of the USBRL, a 272 km railway line designed to connect Jammu to Baramulla, enhancing connectivity in the region. The project’s foundation stone was laid in 1983, but construction gained momentum in the mid-1990s with allocated funding. Key milestones include the opening of the Jammu-Udhampur section in 2005, the Udhampur-Katra section in 2014, and the Baramulla section between 2008 and 2013. The Chenab Bridge links the Kauri and Bakkal stations, bridging a critical gap in this transformative railway network.

A Symbol of Resilience and Innovation

The Chenab Bridge stands not only as an engineering marvel but also as a symbol of India’s ambition to overcome geographical and technical barriers. Dr. Madhavi Latha’s expertise, combined with the efforts of countless engineers and workers, has turned a vision conceived in 2003 into a reality that will serve generations. As trains now traverse the world’s highest railway bridge, the legacy of this project—and Dr. Latha’s contributions—will inspire future innovations in engineering and beyond.