Returning to My Roots: A Journey to the World’s Highest Railway Bridge
High above the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir stands a modern marvel—the highest railway bridge in the world. For me, this bridge is not just a feat of engineering. It’s a personal journey back to where it all began.
From Munich to Jammu: A Journey Begins
Remote condition monitoring started as a tool for safety on construction sites. Today, powered by AI, it can predict and prevent issues before they occur. I’ve worked in this field for years, but I never imagined it would lead me back to my birthplace—Jammu & Kashmir—and to a project of such national pride: the Chenab Railway Bridge.
It began with a call from a colleague in Munich. He was supplying geotechnical cables for the bridge and raised concerns about safety during construction. When I learned the cables could be monitored remotely, I said without hesitation, “Yes, let’s do it.”
And just like that, our journey from Germany to India began.
Contrasts and Connections
We were warmly welcomed in Jammu. On the way to the site, we stopped to feed monkeys along the roadside—a moment of joy and wonder for my European colleagues, witnessing the harmony between people, animals, and nature. Yet the serenity was laced with reality—just days earlier, a terrorist had been shot in a nearby village. A stark reminder of the region’s deep contrasts: beauty, resilience, and the ever-present challenges.
On the Bridge: High Above, Deep Within
The next morning, we geared up—helmets, harnesses, PPE—and climbed the breathtaking structure to install and calibrate the sensors. The wind whistled. The bridge shifted ever so slightly underfoot. It made us pause. For me, this wasn’t just work—it was emotional. I hadn’t returned in years.
I found myself asking hard questions: Why did we have to leave overnight? When will ancient Indic peaceful coexistence return as the norm?
That night, under a sky lit with stars, I had a moment to reflect—and to smile with hope.
Technology in Action, People at Heart
The next day, the system went live. SIM cards connected the sensors, and real-time alerts were set to safeguard the structure. That evening, we sat down for dinner with people from all across India and beyond. The energy, the laughter, the shared purpose—it reminded me how much we can achieve when we come together.
Later, we made a long drive—seven to eight hours—to the other side of the bridge, where the main office was located. What stayed with me was not just the scale of the project but the spirit of the team. We joined their morning stand-up meeting and listened as engineers spoke with quiet pride and curiosity. They weren’t just building infrastructure—they were building a national symbol on land once home to sages and scholars.
Tradition Meets Innovation
We celebrated Engineers’ Day with a traditional puja. I joined with joy. It was deeply moving to see how spiritual values still anchor people—keeping them humble, grounded, and united in purpose. In that moment, I felt a deep connection to both the past and the future.
Later, we walked across the half-complete bridge. Our role may have been very small, but I was part of something big—something that would unite people, open up possibilities, and carry the hopes of generations.
Bonds Beyond Borders
One memory stands out vividly: a young engineer from Munich had grown close to a stray dog during his time at the site. When he left, he went through all the formalities to bring the dog back with him to Germany. That simple act of kindness said so much about us as humans, and what this project had built—more than just steel and cables. It had built human bonds, across borders and cultures.
A Bridge to the Future
Last week, I watched the official inauguration of the Chenab Bridge on the news. All the memories came flooding back— moments when young engineers full of energy flocked around to learn and share and making things happen. For us, it was never just about a bridge. It was about teamwork, people, and shared vision.
To me, the Chenab Bridge is not just an engineering marvel—it’s a bridge back to my roots. A symbol of hope, unity, and what’s possible when clear, bold leadership meets committed teamwork.
This bridge stands for more than progress. It carries the spirit of an ancient Indian truth: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family. May that spirit continue to guide the valley and its people toward peace, connection, and a future built on unity.
Live and let live.
Sanjay Razdan
Sanjay Razdan is the Managing Director of Omnicom Balfour Beatty (OBB), where he leads the company’s infrastructure monitoring and AI-enabled analytics solutions. With a global leadership background—including senior roles at DYWIDAG, QinetiQ, Honeywell, Schneider, and De La Rue—Sanjay brings extensive experience in scaling businesses, P&L management, and strategic execution across multiple continents. A Harvard Business School alumnus, he holds an MBA and a Bachelor's in Electronics Engineering. Sanjay has lived and worked across five countries and is fluent in English, Kashmiri, Hindi, and conversational Russian. Learn more at www.SanjayRazdan.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.
12 Comments
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Sanjay Badshah
Sanjay, you have built roots, hope and action along with the steel and so magnificent a design. You have always enamoured me and continue doing so. I see you reflecting gratitude towards the soil that grew you. I have seen you do marvel of things always from our childhood days. I feel so proud.
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Rakesh Razdan
An amazing journey ❤️
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G L Mattoo FIE
It made a good reading.
A bit of technical description would have made it more interesting. -
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Steve Barnes
Hi Sanjay, it has been a joy working with you twice, your extensive knowledge, drive and commitment to achieving the goal is inspirational, I wish you well my friend, I hope to see you soon.
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Naresh Sareen
So proud of you my friend….
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Sunil
You are the son of the soil of Jammu & Kashmir. What a great giveback to your motherland “Maej Kasheer” where we were born and have grown together . Bless you!