June 10, 2025 | Bengaluru/Reasi
In response to widespread praise on social media for her reported 17-year involvement in the construction of the world’s tallest railway bridge, Dr. Madhavi Lata, a senior professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, has humbly declined individual credit for the project. She stated that the success of the Chenab Railway Bridge belongs to the Indian Railways, AFCONS Infrastructure, and the thousands of people who contributed behind the scenes. Dr. Lata, a noted geotechnical engineering expert, took to LinkedIn to clarify her role in the project. She served as the Chief Geo-Technical Consultant, primarily involved in designing the foundation of the bridge on a slope. She emphasized that it is inaccurate to portray her as “the woman behind the mission” or suggest that she performed any miracle.
"Please do not give me unnecessary credit. This project is the result of the work of thousands of people. Statements like ‘the woman behind the mission performed a miracle’ are not true,” she wrote in her post.
Business leader Anand Mahindra and several others had earlier applauded her for reportedly dedicating nearly two decades to the Chenab Bridge project.
A Monument of Engineering
The Chenab Rail Bridge, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, stands as the tallest railway arch bridge in the world. Spanning 1,315 meters and rising 359 meters above the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, the bridge is an engineering marvel.
The structure is 29 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower and uses four times more steel. The bridge was approved in 2003 and was initially expected to be completed by 2009, but the project faced several delays, stretching its completion timeline to 2025. The total cost is estimated at ₹1,486 crore, and the bridge has a projected lifespan of 120 years.
Years of Dedication
Dr. Madhavi Lata is a faculty member in the Civil Engineering Department at IISc and has extensively researched sustainable soil stabilization, earthquake engineering, and rock mechanics. Her technical guidance contributed significantly to laying the foundations of the bridge on challenging mountainous terrain.
Despite her long-standing association with the project, Dr. Lata insists that the credit must be shared among the entire team of engineers, architects, construction workers, consultants, and officials.
A Lesson in Humility
Her statement has been widely appreciated for its humility and accuracy, offering a reminder that large-scale infrastructure projects are collective efforts. The Chenab Bridge stands not only as a symbol of India’s engineering excellence but also as a testament to the power of teamwork and dedication.
Business leader Anand Mahindra and several others had earlier applauded her for reportedly dedicating nearly two decades to the Chenab Bridge project.
A Monument of Engineering
The Chenab Rail Bridge, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, stands as the tallest railway arch bridge in the world. Spanning 1,315 meters and rising 359 meters above the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, the bridge is an engineering marvel.
The structure is 29 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower and uses four times more steel. The bridge was approved in 2003 and was initially expected to be completed by 2009, but the project faced several delays, stretching its completion timeline to 2025. The total cost is estimated at ₹1,486 crore, and the bridge has a projected lifespan of 120 years.
Years of Dedication
Dr. Madhavi Lata is a faculty member in the Civil Engineering Department at IISc and has extensively researched sustainable soil stabilization, earthquake engineering, and rock mechanics. Her technical guidance contributed significantly to laying the foundations of the bridge on challenging mountainous terrain.
Despite her long-standing association with the project, Dr. Lata insists that the credit must be shared among the entire team of engineers, architects, construction workers, consultants, and officials.
A Lesson in Humility
Her statement has been widely appreciated for its humility and accuracy, offering a reminder that large-scale infrastructure projects are collective efforts. The Chenab Bridge stands not only as a symbol of India’s engineering excellence but also as a testament to the power of teamwork and dedication.
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Chenab Bridge
Dr Madhavi Lata
Engineering Feats India
IISc Bangalore
India
Indian Railways Project