The first-ever cable-stayed railway bridge in India, the Anji Khad Bridge, has been inaugurated, with engineering design and supervision provided by Italferr, the engineering company of Italy’s FS Group. This landmark structure is a unique and strategic asset that will significantly enhance infrastructure reliability and improve both local and international connectivity.
The bridge is unprecedented in India due to the challenging geography and extreme conditions of the Anji River, which runs through a deep gorge with near-vertical walls, an area subject to strong winds. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Indian authorities, representatives from Indian Railways, and Italferr officials.
Measuring 725 metres in total length and standing 196 metres high, the bridge features a 473-metre cable-stayed section, including a central span of 290 metres and an asymmetrical support tower. This distinctive design marks it as India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge and one of the most ambitious projects on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line, intended to link Kashmir with India’s northwestern borders.
The asymmetrical cable-stayed design was selected to enable most of the construction to take place from one end, optimising available space and ensuring slope stability. This innovative approach maintained structural integrity while simplifying construction processes, demonstrating a thorough understanding of project requirements and local conditions.
The project’s investment totals USD 70 million.
The Anji Khad Bridge was awarded the Award of Merit in the Bridge/Tunnel category at the 2024 ENR Global Best Projects Awards. Selected by an international jury from over 120 entries, this prestigious award recognises the project’s engineering excellence, innovation, safety, and sustainability. The Engineering News-Record (ENR) annually honours global infrastructure projects demonstrating outstanding achievement.
Italferr has been active in India since 2014 and remains involved in several strategic projects. Besides the Anji Khad Bridge, Italferr, in joint venture with Ayesa, is engaged in the “Engagement of General Consultant for Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor,” a EUR 15 million initiative started in 2019 to develop an 82-kilometre regional rapid transit corridor. This will be India’s first rapid regional rail transport system, operating at speeds up to 160 km/h, connecting the capital Delhi with Meerut and Ghaziabad.
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