Katni to have India's longest railway bridge

Bhopal: Katni in Madhya Pradesh will have India's longest railway bridge, 14 km on the up line, almost three and half times longer than Vembanad rail bridge in Kerala that connects Edappally and Vallarpadam in Kochi and is 4.62 km long.

Called Katni grade separator, down line of the bridge would be of 7 km. Its total length would be 21 km up and down side.

Project received clearance from Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) recently along with other railway projects. Design and survey of the bridge has been completed and it will take 5 years for completion.

Talking to TOI, chief public relations officer (CPRO) of West Central Railway Surendra Yadav said, "Katni grade separator is expected to cost around Rs 600 crore. Earlier, it was part of the Katni-Singrauli doubling project pegged at Rs 7,000 crore. We sent a separate proposal to Railway Board which has now received cabinet nod. Once complete, it would be the longest rail bridge among the 16 railway zones of the country."