Context:
First trial train run has been conducted on Chenab Rail Bridge in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Chenab Rail Bridge:
- Part of – Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
- Significance – World’s highest railway bridge on the Himalayan ranges.
- Other features –
- Can resist high-velocity winds up to 260 kmph, extreme temperatures, earthquakes, etc.
- Designed for blast load in consultation with DRDO for the first time in India.
- 1st time on Indian Railways, Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing machine used for testing of welds.
- 1st time on Indian Railways, National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited lab established at site for weld testing.
- Extensive health monitoring and warning systems planned through state of art instrumentation
Chenab River:
- Also known as – Chandrabhaga
- Source – Lahaul and Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh state.
- Formation – Formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers in the Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.
- Bhaga river – Originates from Surya taal lake, which is situated a few kilometers west of the la pass in Himachal Pradesh.
- Chandra river – Originates from glaciers east of Bara-lacha
- Course – Flows southwest into Pakistan, meeting Jhelum, Ravi and finally the Sutlej.
- Important projects/dams on Chenab –
- Ratle Hydro Electric Project
- Salal Dam
- Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Plant
- Pakal Dul Dam (under construction) – On a tributary Marusadar River
Source: Financial Express
Previous Year Question
Gandikota canyon of South India was created by which one of the following rivers?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) Cauvery
(b) Manjira
(c) Pennar
(d) Tungabhadra
Answer: (c)
