Engineering Brilliance: Tools and Techniques Behind the Chenab Bridge

  


The Chenab Bridge project did not rely solely on human resolve—it was backed by cutting-edge engineering techniques and machinery. Afcons Infrastructure Limited deployed the world’s tallest crossbar cable cranes to construct the towering arch, which eventually spanned 467 meters across the Chenab River.

One of the more specialized innovations used was consolidation grouting—a technique where fluid cement mixtures are injected into rock or soil to make them more stable. This was essential for firming up the slope foundations on either bank. The cantilever method was then employed, allowing the arch to be erected simultaneously from both ends until the two halves met in April 2021—a moment of triumph celebrated across the country.

This blend of old-school grit and new-age tools underscores a golden era in Indian infrastructure. The Chenab Bridge exemplifies how India is leveraging technology to rewrite its engineering story.