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In the wake of the Pahalgam attack, security agencies are stepping up efforts to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure and religious pilgrims in the Union Territory. The iconic Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, has now been brought under the security umbrella of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The move comes as part of a broader, integrated security strategy being rolled out ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, which begins on July 3.
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the Chenab Bridge—an engineering marvel that rises 359 meters above the Chenab River in the Reasi district. The bridge, built with more than 28,000 tonnes of steel, is designed to withstand high-intensity earthquakes, blasts, and winds up to 266 km/h, making it a critical asset not only for transportation but also for national security.
According to senior CRPF officials, the force will now take over responsibility for securing both the Chenab Bridge and the nearby Anji Khad Bridge—India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. Perched between steep cliffs and supported by 96 steel cables, Anji Khad is suspended 331 meters above the riverbed and engineered to endure harsh environmental and seismic conditions. Meanwhile, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) will continue managing security along the railway route itself.
Strategic Significance: Beyond Steel and Concrete
The inauguration of these mega-infrastructure projects under the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) marks a monumental shift in Kashmir’s connectivity. For decades, the region remained rail-isolated, dependent on roads that were vulnerable to landslides, snowfall, and militant threats. The USBRL now changes that reality, enabling year-round, all-weather access to the Kashmir Valley.
With strategic locations near the Line of Control (LoC), the railway line is expected to streamline troop and equipment movement, reduce response times, and offer stealth advantages through tunnels that evade both satellite and radar surveillance.
Massive Security Grid for Amarnath Yatra
Alongside infrastructure protection, the security apparatus for the Amarnath Yatra 2024 is also being scaled up. Following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, a comprehensive multi-agency plan has been activated. The CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Indian Army are working in tandem to secure both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes—the two main pilgrimage trails.
The CRPF has completed security audits and digital mapping of the entire Yatra route. The force’s Director General personally reviewed ground readiness in Pahalgam. As part of new protocols, each Yatra convoy will be accompanied by jammers to neutralize potential IED or remote-controlled explosive threats.
This year, over 580 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed for Yatra security—primarily from the CRPF, along with personnel from the BSF, SSB, and ITBP. The J&K Police will also be providing logistical and ground-level support.
Tech-Enabled Pilgrimage Security
Technology will play a key role in safeguarding the Yatra. Every pilgrim will be issued a digital identity card, and all convoy vehicles will be fitted with RFID tracking systems. Even pony handlers and support staff will carry digital IDs to enhance traceability.
To ensure uninterrupted communication in remote terrain, security personnel will be equipped with satellite phones. These upgrades aim to close critical gaps in coordination and ensure real-time situational awareness during emergencies.
A Dual Priority
With the Chenab Bridge representing national engineering prowess and the Amarnath Yatra representing spiritual devotion, both stand as high-value assets—physically and symbolically.
As one senior CRPF official put it, “We are not only protecting infrastructure or people; we are securing the very idea of integration, accessibility, and national unity.”
Team BharatShakti
