Why engineering exploits tell only one part of Chenab bridge's story

The construction of the world’s highest cable-supported single-arch bridge on the Chenab River was not just a feat of engineering; it also involved overcoming significant legal hurdles. For nearly eight years, the Katra-Banihal section of the railway project faced numerous public interest litigations (PILs) that challenged its alignment, cost, and methodology, a ToI report said on June 8.

These legal challenges created uncertainty and slowed progress on what is now a critical infrastructure project in the Kashmir region.

Long legal battle

Since 2008-09, various PILs were filed, questioning the project's parameters. Officials from Northern Railway noted that while work continued, it became sluggish due to the ongoing legal proceedings.

These challenges persisted until 2016, when the Delhi High Court accepted the railways' position, followed by a Supreme Court ruling three months later that disposed of the pending cases.

This legal resolution allowed the construction to move forward at full capacity after July 2016.

Impact of court rulings

The intervention of the courts was crucial. Before the rulings, a committee led by E. Sreedharan raised concerns regarding the proposed alignment of the railway line.

To counter these challenges, the Centre appointed additional solicitor general Maninder Singh to argue in favour of the project. A former official from Northern Railway remarked, “The project would have been completed early had there not been these court cases.”

The Railway Board's affidavit, submitted as directed by the high court, confirmed that all necessary safety measures were satisfied regarding the railway line and the bridge. The court concluded that the existing alignment and the bridge over the Chenab were secure.

With the legal battles behind them, the focus shifted back to construction, marking a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity for the region. The bridge stands as a testament to the resilience of the railway project amid adversity, promising improved transport links in the Kashmir valley.