PEER CHATTERSHAH, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Peer Chattershah is a pious site that is situated at a distance of about 13 kilometers away from Kathua District in Parole Village. The Peer Chattershah is also famous for Nagri Parole, and a holy spring is located very close to the shrine (bolies). People trusted that the spring has medicinal properties, which can cure and heal all types of skin ailments when people take bath in the spring which is near the shrine (bolies).
AIRWAN TEMPLE, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Airwan temple is an ancient temple which is dedicated to the Hindu Lord Shiva. Airwan Temple is located around 15 kilometers away from Kathua District in Airwan Village near Parole. The history of Airwan Temple is that this is the 4th century Lord Shiva temple in the Airwan Village. It is said that the legendary emperor of Ujjain, Vikramaditya had erected the Airwan Temple. The village of Airwan bears its name from the Ravi River. On the occasion of Mahashivratri and Baisakhi fairs are held here. The temple is thronged by the pilgrims on the occasion of both the festivals which are celebrated here every year.
There are various bowlies present near the temple where pilgrims take a dip before offering their worships. The people who are unable to go to Haridwar to immerse the ashes of the dead can do it in the holy water called Gupt Ganga. The Airwan Temple can be accessed smoothly by road from the Kathua District. Kathua Railway Station is the closest railway head to Airwan Temple.
ADDRESS- Banjal, Jammu and Kashmir
PINCODE- 184206
JODIYA DI MATA TEMPLE, KATHUA
Jodiya Di Mata Temple is a religious temple that is visited by several pilgrims during the festival of Navratri. Jodiya Di Mata Temple is located at a distance of around 4 kilometers away from Banjal in Kathua District. The Jodiya Di Mata is situated in the village Jodiyan. The Jodiyan Di Mata temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga. Jodiyan Di Mata temple is located at Banjal (Himalaya) around 80 kilometers away from Basholi Town. The inhabitants of Jodiyan and nearby villages trusted that Goddess Durga preserves the flora and fauna of the hills.
A few decades ago, while moving with the cattle a Shepherd found the place. He observed that his cattle go into deep slumber when left around the area. He got inquisitive and with the help of a sacred leader found that this place is pious. From the story, it is clear that the pious thoughts of the community are connected with the place. It is a vivid area with plenty of flowers blooming and this area is also called “Garden of Natural Flowers”. Visitors can go by bus or their private vehicle till village Poond. From Poond village the visitors have to trek. Jodiyan Di Mata Temple is a pious center that is visited by hundreds of devotees during the festival of Navratras. The people of voluntary groups help in providing the basic facilities to the devotees. The temple is situated at an altitude of about 7000 ft. Jodiyan Di Mata is a very beautiful and attractive place that is full of natural beauty. Jodiyan Di Mata Temple orders a lot of trust from the local people.
The trekking area from the Poond village to the Jodiya Di Mata Temple is approx 15 kilometers. The best time to visit the Jodiya Di Mata Temple is during the festival of Navratras or at the month of Chet and Sarad Ritu Month as per the Hindu calendar. At that time everyone can see the snow-topped peak of the Himalayas of Mani Mahesh or Lord Shiva from the Jodiya Di Mata Temple. An antechamber to stay in is available beside the temple. The visitors who visit the temple have to adopt the lifestyle of the village while visiting because there are no roads, hotels, restaurants in the area near the temple. Because of those reasons trekking is the most favorite part of Jodiya Di Mata for the visitors like youngsters and those who love adventures. Slowly this place is getting famous for these popular activities like camping, adventure trips, and trekking. From the initial point of trekking till Jodiya Di Mata Temple there are some small villages and the people of these villages gross their livelihood by supplying services like toys, food, pony/ horse rides, etc. to the travelers and the visitors.
JASROTA, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR
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A former region of royal power Jasrota was founded by the Raja Jas Dev of Jammu in the year 1019. Jasrota comprised 13 Parganas and 2 tehsils. He gave the responsibility just after the few periods of the whole region Jasrota to his uncle King Karan Dev. This place was transformed into a district during the reign of Gulab Singh who was the king of Jammu and Kashmir in 1846.
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The leaders of this Jasrota Region were called the Jasrotias or Jamwals. A former temple of Hindu Goddess Maha Kali is located on a hillock on the outskirts of the Jasrota region. Over the years, this Maha Kali temple has become one of the most popular pilgrimage centers in the Kathua District of Jammu and Kashmir.
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SARTHAL VALLEY, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR
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Sarthal Valley is a famous tourist destination place in the Kathua District of Indian Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir. This valley covers by snowfall for about six months a year and is also surrounded by snow-clad mountains. The area links with Himachal Pradesh on the West and Bhaderwah on the North. The area is located around 20 kilometers away from Bani.
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Sarthal Valley is located at an elevation of around 7000 ft above sea level. Travelers from different parts of the country visit this valley and the site are considered the most beautiful spot in the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir. The common herbaceous floras of this area are Logularia Amplexocaulis, Bergenia Ciliata, Sinopodophyllum Hexandrum, Barbarea Intermedia, Primula denticulata, Gentiana Indica, Anaphaslis Busua, and Potentilla Sterilis. Several rivers originate from the mountains and hills of the Sarthal Valley are Ravi, Sewa, and Ujh rivers, and all these rivers are surrounded by Riverine forests.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT THE SARTHAL VALLEY
Sarthal valley can be visited throughout the year except in specific weeks that are forecasted for heavy snowfall. The general periods that are considered to be the best months to visit the valley are September to early December and late February to April.
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HOW TO REACH THE SARTHAL VALLEY
If you are looking for a flight then you can board a flight for Jammu and if you want to travel by rail then you can board a train to Kathua Railway Station. If you are required to travel by road then local taxis are also available there. But for ease and convenience, it is suggested to book any of them in advance.
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COUNTRY- India
STATE- Jammu and Kashmir
REGION- Jammu region
DISTRICT- Kathua District
CHAMUNDA DEVI TEMPLE, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR
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Chamunda Devi Temple is a renowned site that is considered the holy place by the devotees and is situated in Bisohli which is a small town and is located on the right bank of river Ravi in the Kathua District of the Indian Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir. This prehistorical shrine is dedicated to one of the seven mother goddesses, Chamunda Devi. The Goddess Chamunda Devi is being worshipped by the pilgrims in the form of a natural rock in this temple. The temple is reachable by bus from Kathua, Billawar, Jammu and Udhampur.
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PURTHU BEACH-MINI GOA: BEACH IN A NON-COASTAL AREA
Everyone listens to the idiom “Feed Two Birds With One Scone” it did not make that much sense till the date when we come to know about the erection of the Ranjit Sagar Dam which is situated on the bank of the river Ravi and also on the Border of two states of India- Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The dam has been presented the status of being the highest gravity dam on the continent. Ranjit Sagar Dam is the greatest hydroelectric project in Punjab and is a wonderful attraction for the tourists’ cause of the natural lake that has been established behind the dam and who knew this could be the reason for the birth of this beautiful and attractive beach, today which is called Purthu Beach- Mini Goa. In Kathua District, Purthu Beach is an artificial beach which is situated on the lakeside of the Indian Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir.
The landscapes of Purthu Beach closely resemble the beaches of “Goa” that’s why the nickname of Purthu Beach is “MINI GOA”. Date trees are grown in the landlocked area of Purthu Beach. The fresh blue water waves and the ripples produced due to the movement of the fresh lake blue water toss the banks of the beach producing soothing musical notes. The Purthu Beach is cuddled by the Shivalik hills on one side, the snow-capped Dhauladhars on their other side, and their far side the bountiful Pir Panjal Range. Tourists can find several entertainments here like paragliding with motor, motorboat rides, paragliding, horse riding, and other sports.
HOW TO REACH PURTHU BEACH- MINI GOA
Purthu Beach is connected by a different mode of transportation. Everybody can easily reach Purthu Beach- Mini Goa. The closest airport is the Jammu airport which is around 78 kilometers away from Kathua District. It takes around 1 hour 30 minutes of travel time. One has to cross the Atal Setu Bridge that links Punjab with Jammu and Kashmir. By rail route Bisohli, the nearest railway station is Kathua Railway Station which is at Gobindsar which is around 32 kilometers away from Purthu Beach. Kathua District is attached to the Jammu city and is easily reachable through the Udhampur district. Tourists can also find the Tourist Buses and taxis to the Kathua District from the National Highway 1A.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN PURTHU BEACH- MINI GOA PATHANKOT
1- Boat Ride
2- Temple Tour
3- Motor Paragliding
4- Camping and Bonfire
5- Horse Riding
6-River Rafting
The specialty of this Purthu Beach is that this place is now chosen for pre-wedding shoots too. Travelers from different locations come here to spend the nights; the people of local areas arrange small tents, snacks, and tea for the tourists.
ADDRESS- Purthu, Basohli
TELEPHONE- 9622221432
FAMOUS PLACES OF ATTRACTION IN KATHUA DISTRICT OF JAMMU REGION
Kathua district is situated in the Indian Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir. Kathua District is one of the 20 districts of the Jammu region. There are various tourists of attractions in the Kathua District where tourists can enjoy their journey and can make their journey more memorable. Here are the lists of some tourist of attractions in Kathua District are-
1- Sukrala Mata Temple
2- Ranjit Sagar Dam
3- Mata Bala Sundri Temple Nagri
4- Jodiyan Di Mata Religious Center
5- Duggan Valley
6- Purthu Beach- Mini Goa
7- Chandel Valley
8- Dhoula Wali Mata Religious Center
9- Banjal Garden of Natural Flowers
10- Asha Purani Mandir
11- Gurudwara Singh Sabha
12- Shree Anand Ashram
13- Airwan Temple
14- Narsingh Ji Temple
15- Sapt Sarober Mandir
16- Sarthal
17- Bani
18- The Dream
19- Mata Sundrikote
20- Peer Chattershah
21- Panyalag
22- Mahabilvakeshwar Temple
23- Chamunda Devi Temple
24- Sanan Ghat
25- Hiranagar
26- Jasrota
27- Billawar
28- Machhedi
29- Bhaddu
30- Mankote
31- Shiv Temple
32- Basohli
33- Dhar Mahanpur
VISITING THE RANJIT SAGAR DAM
Important Note- A permission note from the authorities is required to enter the dam.
The permission note can be acquired from the Juigal Barrier which is around 15 kilometers away from the Ranjit Sagar Dam. The officers at Juigal Barrier will give you the permission slip. To get this permission slip, you will have to present valid government-issued identity proof. After receiving this permission slip you can move towards the dam. Many travelers are not aware of this fact and waste many hours going back to get a slip.
Some tourist cottages are covering the dam where tourists pay some amount and stay there. The payment and booking are done only at the entrance of the dame of those cottages. The cottages present a calm, serene stay for the travelers. Those who visit the dam must expend a day at these cottages. The number of cottages is limited and the cottages are given out on a first come first serve basis. If anyone wants a cottage for stay get there early and book the room before the rush comes in.
The visitors of the dam will also be permitted to enter the dwelling where the electricity is generated. Tourists also get a view of how the technology works inside it and learn about the process of the dam. In the Monsoon, the lake of the dam is brimming with water. At that time the sight of the dam looks beautiful. The visitors who come in monsoon season get the beauty of the dam and get the opportunity of seeing as well as touching the cool, clear water of the lake. The staff members of the dam are very supportive and helpful. They will explain everything so well. Your vacation and your visit will become more educational as well.
Another highlight of this dam is the newly erected wire bridge. This bridge is the second of its kind in the country, India. The pictures that are taken by the visitors are very aesthetic and visually pleasing. The view from the bridge is also very beautiful. The visit to Ranjit Sagar Dam is suitable for people of all age groups like middle-age, young, teenagers, and old age people. The travelers who come here have a pleasant experience about the Ranjit Sagar Dam.
Another attraction of the Ranjit Sagar Dam is flora and fauna that increase in the purlieus of the dam. Sometimes in a year, the visit of migratory birds is also seen here. Various animals like hares, wild rabbits, foxes, and birds can also be spotted near the dam area. Dhabas and shops are selling hot food and memento can be found close to the dam which makes the dam a perfect destination place for the tourist. The dam becomes highly crowded during festivals and public holidays and it is difficult for the tourists to enjoy the scenic beauty around the dam. So, it is recommended that the tourists who enjoy the beauty of the dam can visit the dam during the weekdays or weekends.
The best months to visit the dam are August and September. During these months, the lake of the Ranjit Sagar Dam is full and the scenery is at its best. The lake of the dam is dry during the summers. The climate of this area is always pleasant. The best time to visit the dam is mid-day because if you can get lunch at that time, the dhabas near the dam will provide a quick hot lunch for the visitors.
HISTORY OF RANJIT SAGAR DAM
Studies that scrutinized the feasibility of the project erection, the success of the dam started in 1953 and continued till 1980 when it was concluded that the erection of the dam would be a success and would benefit all those that are involved. The erection of the dam was steeped in controversy as similar to all the dam erections. The erection of the dam would cause unconceivable losses to the local areas due to land acquisition by the government. There is a fight between the government of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab over their claim over the River Ravi, which ran through both the states and had to be split equally.
The issue was solved when the Government of India decided to erect a barrage that would allow both states to enjoy equal rights over the dam and the electricity which is generated by the dam. Barrages would help to irrigate the districts of Kathua and Samba of Jammu and Kashmir. The Government of Punjab also agreed with the Government of India and shares the electricity that is produced by the Ranjit Sagar Dam. Despite all the issues, finally, the dam was erected and now-a-day, Ranjit Sagar Dam is the most beautiful dam in the country.
Another captivating thing about the Ranjit Sagar Dam is that, in Basohli, a Water Sports Academy was announced which is around 56 kilometers away from Pathankot. In North India, it is the first kind of academy that was set up for encouraging water sports like water polo, swimming, synchronized swimming, rowing, etc. Mr. K K Sharma, Mr. K Vijay Kumar, and Mr. K Skandan (advisors to the Jammu and Kashmir Governor) paid a visit to the Ranjit Sagar Dam to analyze and inspect the quality of the visitor facilities at the dam and also inspect the progress of erection of Water Sports Academy. In the erection of this academy around 3 crore rupees have been reserved. The erection of this academy would increase the attraction of the tourists and also increase the economy of the area.
The higher level of water in Ranjit Sagar Dam is around 520.43 meters. This is all thanks to the Irrigation Department of the Government of Punjab and the efforts of PSPCI. It is said by the official that the level of water in 2019 of Ranjit Sagar Dam was around 495.65 meters.
RANJIT SAGAR DAM- The Powerhouse of Punjab
The Ranjit Sagar Dam is locally called the Thein Dam. This dam is part of a hydroelectric project which is commenced by the Government of Punjab. This dam is erected on the Ravi River which flows on the border of the Indian States of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. The Ranjit Sagar Dam is located in the Basohli tehsil of Kathua District in Jammu and Kashmir and the Pathankot city in the Pathankot District of Punjab. 60 percent of the manmade lake in this hydroelectric project is situated in Jammu and Kashmir. This project is the greatest hydroelectric dam in Punjab and the township which covers this dam is known as the Shah Pur Kandi Township. This project started in 1981 and was opened for usage and public viewing in March 2001. The dam provides a great scenic view to the tourist which makes it a tourist destination place for all.
The Ranjit Sagar Dam is used for both purposes like irrigation as well as power generation. The water of this dam is used to irrigate the crops and farmlands of all the states that border it and the nearby towns. This dam has a 600-megawatt capacity which makes it the most powerful electricity generator in the country. If this dam is used in its full capacity, it has the power to eliminate power cuts from the major parts of Punjab. However, to avert the wastage of five thousand to six thousand cusecs of river water, the authorities at the Ranjit Sagar Dam always make sure not to use all four of the turbines of the dam, each having a 150-megawatt capacity, thus all the turbines bring the total capacity of 600 megawatts.
The Ranjit Sagar Dam is also the highest earth-fill dam in India. Embankment dams of earth-fill dams which are also known as earth dams are erected by compressing several layers of earth and using these materials to set up a core by placing porous materials on the upstream and downstream sides to allow water to trickle through.
This dam also has the greatest diameter penstock pipes in the country. A penstock pipe is a gate that manages water flow from the Ravi River and provides the water to the hydro turbines and drainage system of the dam.
LOCATION- Basohli and Pathankot
COUNTRY- India
STATUS- Operational
ERECTION BEGAN- 1981
OPENING DATE- 2001
POSSESSOR- Water Resources Department, Government of Punjab, India
TYPE OF DAM- Earth-fill, Embankment
CONFISCATES- Ravi River
LENGTH- 617 m (2024 ft)
HEIGHT- 160 m (525 ft)
ELEVATION AT CREST- 540 m (1772 ft)
WIDTH (BASE) - 669.2 m (2196 ft)
WIDTH (CREST) – 14 m (46 ft)
VOLUME OF DAM- 21,920,000 cubic meters
SPILLWAY CAPACITY- 24,637 cu m/s
SPILLWAY TYPE- Controlled chute
TOTAL CAPACITY- 3,280,000,000 cubic meters
NORMAL ELEVATION- 527.9 m
ACTIVE CAPACITY- 2,344,000,000 cubic meter
COMMISSION DATE- 2000
TURBINES- 4 X 150 MW Francis-type
HYDRAULIC HEAD- 121.9 m (max)
INSTALLED CAPACITY- 600 MW
DUDHADHARI MANDIR- The Highest in the City
Another popular and top sightseeing option in Jammu District is the Dudhadhari Mandir. Dudhadhari Mandir of the Jammu region is one such temple that is old and visited by many travelers whether religious or not who come to Jammu and Kashmir. Dudhadhari Mandir is located in Rajouri Village in Rajouri District near Poonch Highway of Jammu and Kashmir. Dudhadhari Mandir is established in white Marble and is situated on the highest peak in the Rajouri District.
HISTORY OF DUDHADHARI MANDIR JAMMU
The Dudhadhari Barfani Ashram or Dudhadhari Mandir is established in the memory of Saint Dudhadhari Baba, who lived in the hills of Rajouri District near Pir Panjal Ranges. It is said that Saint Dudhadhari Baba got his name as he lived by drinking milk only. In Indian Language ‘milk’ means ‘dudh’ and ‘food’ means ‘aahar’ who took milk as his food so he became Dudhadhari. It is believed that the Dudhadhari Mandir is the only place in Jammu where devotees fulfill their wishes (Mannat) by making several promises.
BEST TIME TO VISIT DUDHADHARI MANDIR IN JAMMU
Dudhadhari Mandir is located on a high hill in Rajouri District in the Jammu region. Dudhadhari Mandir has a cooler temperature as compared to Jammu and Rajouri District is situated in the Pir Panjal Ranges. In winters, snowfall is constrained tourists to reach the Dudhadhari Mandir. From October to May is the best season to visit the Dudhadhari Mandir. Dudhadhari Mandir and Rajouri District receive moderate to heavy rainfall from July to September which makes the journey of the travelers more complex rather than exciting.
HOW TO REACH DUDHADHARI MANDIR IN JAMMU
Dudhadhari Mandir is located in the Rajouri District, which Poonch highway and NH144A can reach. First must reach Jammu City then you will reach the Rajouri District. Jammu District is prominently attached with major cities of India so you can use any of the transport to reach Jammu City like Air, Railways, and Road transportations.
The nearest airport from Rajouri District in Jammu is Jammu Domestic Airport which is located around 151 kilometers from the Rajouri District. Several domestic flights regularly travel between Jammu and other states every day for the benefit of travelers.
The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi railway station which is located in Jammu City and is around 150 kilometers away from the Rajouri District.
NH44 and NH1A have highly connected Jammu to Punjab, Delhi, and other states in India.
From the Railway Station, Airport, and other parts of the city, local buses, private cars, and taxis are readily available to reach the Dudhadhari Temple in Jammu city.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS FROM DUDHADHARI MANDIR
There are several places to visit from Dudhadhari Temple in Jammu that is famous for their special attraction of their own. The nearby places are- Dogra Art Museum, Poonch Fort, Baba Dhansar, Ranbireshwar Temple, Akhnoor Fort, and several other attractions that are visited by ample of travelers every year.
Entry Fee- None
Timings- From 5 am to 6 pm
Famous for- The whole temple is made up of white marble.
Address- Shastri Nagar, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, 180004
POONCH FORT- With Glorious Past
The ancient fort of the Jammu region Poonch fort is also called Poonch Qila of the Indian Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir. Poonch fort is located in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Between the years 1760 and 1787, the Poonch fort was built by Raja Rustam Khan. The architecture was very fond of Mughal’s architecture who constructed this huge fort of Poonch district and Raja Moti Singh was very impressed by the design of that architecture so he kept renovating the Poonch Fort for continuous 40 years.
ABOUT POONCH FORT
Poonch fort adds more glory to the ancient city of Jammu and Kashmir. The Poonch Fort is documented and authentic that records a history of the Poonch District. Poonch fort is called the historic monument of Jammu and Kashmir. Poonch fort is sprawling around an area of 7535 square meters. This imposing historical edifice carries stories of periods under the rule of the Dogras, Sikhs, and Muslims within its thick walls. Raja Rustam Khan was the son of Raja Abdul Razaq Khan. The foundation of the Poonch fort was done by Raja Abdul Razaq Khan in 1713 AD. So, after his death, the construction of the Poonch fort was completed by his son Raja Rustam Khan. After several years Raja Moti Singh had hired the European architecture for the renovation of the Poonch fort and the architecture design the Poonch fort in European style. After that, the Poonch fort becomes the tourist destination spot in the Poonch district of Jammu.
HOW TO REACH POONCH FORT
You can reach Poonch fort by Jammu airport or by Jammu railway station. From the airport or railway station, you can take a public transport bus and reach the Jammu bus stand. From the bus stand take the transport bus that will be going to Poonch or you can hire a private cab to reach Poonch fort. The distance from Jammu airport to Poonch fort is about 234 kilometers and the distance from Jammu railway station to Poonch fort is about 236 kilometers.
Entry fees- None
Timings- From 10 am to 4 pm
Famous for- The different architectural styles and types.
Address- Poonch Fort, Poonch 185101, Jammu and Kashmir
MANKOTE, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Mankote is presently known as Ramkote. Mankote is one of the major towns in Billawar Tehsil of Kathua District of Jammu and Kashmir. Mankote is located on a small hill on the banks of the stream Basanter on Dhar Udhampur Road. Mankote is used to be a small town that is spread over an area of around 15 kilometers in breadth and 24 kilometers in length. Mankote is established by Raja Manak Dev, a successor of Raja Narsingh Dev of Jammu from 1272 to 1314 AD. Raja Suchet Singh is one who ruled Jammu from 1822 to 1843 AD and was renamed the town Ramkote.
MACHHEDI, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR
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Machhedi is a beautiful and attractive Hill Station in Kathua District of Jammu and Kashmir which is located at an elevation of around 5000 ft above sea level. Machhedi is a ridge blanked with a thick plantation of different types of Shrubs, Chir, and Deodar trees. Machhedi experiences temperate climatic conditions. Machhedi receives both types of rainfall winter as well as summer. Winter rainfall is received from the western disturbances and summer rainfall is received from monsoons. The main attractions of this place are pleasant summer and cold winter. The water of Machhedi can be compared with the Cheshma Sahi of Kashmir. Machhedi is around 30 kilometers away from Billawar. Regular bus services are available from Billawar.
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The state of Jammu and Kashmir has been isolated from the rest of the country by both geographical and political reasons. The Government of India had worked tirelessly in this regard to connect it with the other parts of the country using numerous projects and schemes. Due to a physical disconnect, the State has lacked economic development and progress making it one of the least developed and poor in the country. The USBRL project ( Also referred to as The Golden Joint ) is a massive one that was conceived and later on successfully completed to bring about connectivity between many of the inaccessible regions, villages of the State with other neighbouring regions, thus opening up ease of transport and business via the Indian Railways. Most of these places were till now reached only via waterways and unreliable roadways.
Major Challenges -
No transport till the point for which roads had to be constructed
Rough, rugged, mountainous terrain of the State
Difficult Himalayan Geology
High wind speed and very low temperature in the region.
Deep gorge of the Chenab river
Innovations in the Architectural Design -
Large span single arch steel bridge
Approach viaducts on either side
Two - ribbed arch that has been fabricated from large steel trusses
Trussle chords are sealed steel boxes that are internally stiffened along with being filled with concrete
This will assist in control of wind - induced forces on the bridge
No need of internal painting due to the concrete filling
Minimization of the number of bearings to reduce need of maintenance, inspection and it also leads to an improvement in the riding quality
The piers near the arch are as per IRS ( Indian Railway Standards ) and IRC ( Indian Road Congress )
Additionally UIC ( , International Union of Railways ), BS ( British Standards ) and Euro Standards have also been Incorporated
Involvement of Global experts
Technical Details regarding the Design Considerations -
Limit state philosophy of design has been decided to be followed as per BS codes
Computation of wind load effects as per wind tunnel tests
Site specific seismic spectra developed by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee
Provision of Euro code 8 for ductility detailing of very tall and hollow rectangular RCC piers
Provision of long welded rail (LWR) over the bridges and resulting force calculation as per UIC - 774-3R guidelines
Blast resistant design used
Design checking for fatigue as per BS codes
Deformation limits as per comfort criteria of UIC - 776-2R and UIC 776 -3R guidelines
Redundancy provided in the structures, for lower level of operation during mishaps and against collapse in extreme cases of one pier failure
The Chenab River Railway Bridge has been a tremendous success for all the minds as well as manpower involved right from its conception, execution to its completion. In spite of innumerable obstacles ranging from the geographical, climatic and technical to the sheer massive volume of the project that needed to be overcome, the fruition was immensely emotional for the teams involved. The inauguration had the workers euphoric with the unfurling of the Indian Flag, chants of Vande Mataram and bursting of crackers.
The bridge lies in the lap of ethereal natural beauty with beautiful views of the river, mountains and valleys. The cover of clouds with the sun shining through on the gleaming bridge is a sight to behold. A trip across the bridge is surely going to be an unforgettable experience of a lifetime due to various factors ranging from architectural marvel, spell binding views and the feeling of victory of the human spirit that can achieve the impossible with determination and courage.
It also adds to the tourism attractions of an already tourist-rich state.
Images : Wikipedia and www.architecturaldigest.in
Having the distinct record of being India's highest Railway bridge, the Chenab Railway Bridge is nothing short of an engineering marvel that blows one's mind with varied technical details, miscellaneous factors, sheer man power required, coming together of various government departments for coordination, expert and experienced personnel; be it the engineering department, design team, execution workers / agencies and a constant fight against inhospitable terrain, extreme and risky weather conditions in the Himalayas, logistic factors that required massive pre-work of building roads leading up to the point, that include tunnels of 63 km length and 7.5 km of bridges.
Here are a few details regarding the same.
Cost - ₹ 1,486 Crores
River - Chenab
State - Jammu and Kashmir
District- Reasi
Region - Bakkal and Kauri
Range - Pir - Panjal
Links - Katra and Banihal
Height - 1178 feet, from the river bed to the formation and 1056 feet from the river surface
Length - 4314 feet / 1415 m that includes 2,130 feet long viaduct on the northern side
Material - 63 mm Thick, Blast - proof Steel
Number of Spans - 17
Designers - DRDO, Konkan Railways, Afcons Infrastructure
Construction Company - Mumbai based Afcons Infrastructure
Number of Workers involved - More than 1300
Number of Engineers involved - 300
Major Institutions Involved include DRDO, Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore, IIT - Delhi, IIT - Rourkee, GSI, National Remote Sensing Agency among others
Railway Zone - Northern Railways
Number of Villages Connected - 73
Part Of USBRL - Jammu - Udhampur - Srinagar - Baramulla Railway Line
USP - Connects the State of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country
Design Life - 120 + years
Start of the Project - December, 2003
Open to public / Inauguration - 13 August 2022, on the occasion of Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav
The engineering of the bridge was something that had not been attempted in such a unique Himalayan terrain and posed a huge challenge right from the envisioning stage and then on to its implementation meticulously to the T.
Major Features of the Bridge include -
36 m long approach spans
469 m main arch spans across the river
480 m arch length
1.2 m wide central verge
14 m wide dual carriage-way
Can withstand wind speed upto 260 km / hour
Can withstand an earthquake measuring up to magnitude 8 ( Highest intensity - Zone V )
Can withstand a blast of up to 40 kg TNT blast
Can resist temperatures up to - 20℃
24 hours online monitoring and warning system managed by the DRDO along with the Indian Railways
Aerial security
An approach road of 26 kms had to be constructed first to reach this point
It is 35 m higher than the Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Having the longest span in the 5 ft 6 in / 1,676 mm broad gauge railway network
Material used include up to 4000mt of reinforced steel, 25,000MT of steel, 46,000m³ of concrete
Need of Eight million cubic metres of excavation.
World's largest cable cranes used
Footpath and cycle trails
Repainting period - 15 years
Continued…..Click here for the second part of the post
Images - Wikipedia and www.architecturaldigest.in
One of the world’s oldest cities and a world renowned religious town, Varanasi is a must see for anyone who lives or travels in India.Varana...
