Railway Bridge Opens in Indian-Administered Kashmir Amid Ongoing Human Rights Concerns

The world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge, has officially opened in Indian-administered Kashmir, marking the completion of a decades-long infrastructure project that connects the disputed region to the Indian mainland by rail for the first time. The bridge, which towers 359 meters above the Chenab River, surpassing the height of the Eiffel Tower, forms a crucial part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, a 272-kilometer line that traverses hazardous Himalayan terrain through 36 tunnels and 943 bridges.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the inauguration, highlighting the project as a feat of engineering and a milestone for connectivity in the region. However, the opening comes at a time of heightened tension and scrutiny over India’s policies and actions in Kashmir, a territory claimed by India, Pakistan, and China, and one of the most militarized zones in the world.

Human Rights Violations Cast a Shadow

While the Indian government touts the railway as a symbol of progress and integration, critics and international human rights organizations continue to raise serious concerns about the ongoing situation in Kashmir. Since the revocation of the region’s special autonomous status in 2019, Indian authorities have imposed sweeping restrictions on movement, communication, and political activity, accompanied by an increased military presence. These measures have been widely condemned as violations of the rights to representation, participation, and self-determination guaranteed under both Indian and international law.

The region has a long history of human rights abuses, including mass killings, enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence, and political repression, most often attributed to Indian security forces operating with impunity. Reports by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the United Nations have documented these abuses, noting the lack of accountability and ongoing suppression of freedoms of expression and assembly. The Indian government, for its part, has routinely dismissed these allegations as unfounded and insists that its actions are necessary for security and development.

Strategic and Political Motives

The strategic significance of the new railway link cannot be overlooked. The infrastructure not only facilitates civilian and economic movement but also enables swifter deployment of military personnel and equipment in a region frequently marked by conflict, both internal and cross-border. The timing of the inauguration, following a recent surge in violence and a deadly attack on tourists, has further fueled concerns that infrastructure development is being prioritized over addressing the root causes of unrest and the legitimate political aspirations of the Kashmiri people.