By Abhay Ray 
Introduction
Industrialist Anand Mahindra’s latest dose of Monday motivation comes from an inspiring story of Dr G Madhavi Latha, a Bengaluru-based professor who played a key role in constructing the world’s tallest railway arch, the Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir is a railway bridge which is 35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower. It is the world’s highest railway bridge. The arch-shaped steel structure built over the Chenab River links sections of the mountainous region of Jammu and Kashmir. The bridge will connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country.
Who is Dr G Madhavi Latha ?
Dr G Madhavi Latha is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru. She spent 17 years on this project as a geotechnical consultant. A specialist in rock engineering, she was involved in this project by Afcons to advise on slope stabilisation and bridge foundation. Latha did her BTech in Civil Engineering in 1992 from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. Later, she did MTech at the National Institute of Technology, Warangal with a specialisation in Geotechnical Engineering. In 2000, she completed her doctorate from IIT-Madras in Geotechnical Engineering.
Before joining IISc in 2004, she was teaching at IIT Guwahati. Interestingly, she was the first female faculty member at the IISc back then. Over the years, she has been honoured with several awards, including the Best Woman Geotechnical Researcher by the Indian Geotechnical Society in 2021. She even went on to feature in the ‘Top 75 Women in STEAM’ in India in 2022. For the construction of the Chenab Bridge, Latha and her team adopted a ‘design-as-you-go’ approach. This required them to adapt in real time based on the geological conditions of the region, such as fractured rocks, hidden cavities, as well as varying rock properties. These were not evident in early surveys.
Here is what Anand Mahindra said
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Mahindra Group chairman lauded Dr Latha’s unwavering commitment to the landmark project. “An accomplished geotechnical engineer and Professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, she played a pivotal role in the construction of the Chenab Railway Bridge. A commitment that she fulfilled over 17 years. Dr G Madhavi Latha Garu is my Monday Motivation,” Mahindra posted.
Engineering Marvel: The Chenab Bridge
While the Chenab Bridge has captured national attention for being the tallest railway bridge on the planet soaring 359 metres above the riverbed and standing even taller than the Eiffel Tower it’s the behind-the-scenes dedication of experts like Prof Latha that made it a reality. A specialist in rock engineering from the Civil Engineering Department at IISc, Latha was roped in by Northern Railways and the project contractor Afcons back in 2005. Her involvement spanned nearly two decades, during which she offered crucial technical advice on some of the project’s most challenging aspects including slope stability and the foundation design of the bridge. These were vital components, especially given the complex and fragile Himalayan terrain.
The ₹1,486-crore project, recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now links the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India by rail. It not only showcases India’s engineering prowess but also underscores the importance of academic and scientific collaboration in public infrastructure projects.
Engineering the Future: The Chenab Bridge
The Chenab Bridge is a central part of the 272-kilometre-long Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL), a major infrastructure project estimated to cost ₹44,000 crore. The line includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges and is designed to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir with the Indian rail network.
This particular bridge lies between the Kauri and Bakkal sections of the USBRL. It connects remote areas and offers year-round rail access to the Kashmir Valley a significant shift for both civilian travel and military logistics. Modi also inaugurated the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, from which the broader USBRL project was launched.
Built to last
The Chenab Bridge is not just symbolic it is a feat of modern engineering. Built using 28,000 tonnes of steel and 66,000 cubic metres of concrete, the bridge is designed to endure the extremes of its mountain environment.
Its construction employed ‘Tekla Technology’, a digital design platform that allowed for high precision in both design and execution. The structure can withstand winds of up to 260 km/h, survive earthquakes up to magnitude 8, and is blast-resistant. Engineers estimate its operational lifespan to be around 120 years.
Conclusion
The Chenab Bridge stands as a testament to India’s engineering brilliance and the unwavering dedication of experts like Dr G Madhavi Latha. Her 17-year contribution as a geotechnical consultant ensured the success of the world’s highest railway bridge, connecting Kashmir with the rest of India. Combining scientific precision, innovative design, and resilience against extreme conditions, the ₹1,486-crore structure is part of the transformative USBRL project. Celebrated by industrialist Anand Mahindra, Dr Latha’s story inspires a new generation of engineers and highlights the vital role of academic expertise in national infrastructure development.
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