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J.S. Mundrey: The Visionary Engineer Behind India’s Rail Modernization
Early Life and Education.

J.S. Mundrey’s life mirrors the story of India’s railways—emerging from colonial-era limitations into a modern system that underpins national unity. Born in the decades after independence, Mundrey displayed an early aptitude for engineering and problem-solving. He graduated in civil engineering with distinction and soon joined the Indian Railway Service of Engineers, one of the most prestigious technical cadres in the country.
Early in his career, he won a scholarship from the Confederation of British Industry to train in the United Kingdom. There, he worked with British Railways and allied industries, gaining exposure to advanced track technologies and modern management practices. This international experience equipped him with a rare blend of global knowledge and practical understanding of India’s unique terrain—qualities that would define his professional legacy.

Mundrey rose steadily through the ranks, holding senior positions before eventually becoming Adviser (Civil Engineering) on the Railway Board, the apex technical authority of Indian Railways. In this role, he was responsible for guiding national policy and strategy on civil engineering works, including track infrastructure, bridges, and station modernization.
Known as a leader who combined meticulous technical detail with broad vision, he left a mark on nearly every area he touched. He was especially remembered for his work on difficult terrain projects, such as the Visakhapatnam–Koraput line, which required tunneling and bridging through the rugged Eastern Ghats. This early fieldwork honed his ability to reconcile nature’s obstacles with engineering ingenuity—a skill that later proved decisive when he took on Himalayan projects.

Champion of Track Modernization
One of Mundrey’s greatest contributions was in the field of railway track engineering. At a time when India relied heavily on outdated technology, he spearheaded the shift to long welded rails on concrete sleepers and pushed for mechanized maintenance methods to replace labor-intensive practices.
His technical authority was reflected in his widely respected book, Railway Track Engineering, published by McGraw-Hill. This reference became a standard textbook for engineers and railway staff alike. For his pioneering work, Mundrey was conferred the Indian National Award for Railway Track Modernization, a recognition of his transformative impact on safety, efficiency, and capacity in Indian Railways.
Later, he authored educational series like Know Your Rails and Know Your Track Tools and Machines, simplifying technical knowledge for railway personnel. This reflected his belief that true modernization required not just new technology but also an informed and skilled workforce.

Kashmir Rail Link and the Chenab Bridge
Mundrey’s most visionary achievement came in the 1990s, when he was appointed as lead consultant for the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). This project aimed to connect the Kashmir Valley with India’s national railway network—a long-cherished goal hindered by the challenges of the Himalayas.

The Route via Katra
Different alignments were debated. A shorter alignment proposed steep gradients and tight curves, easier to construct but difficult to operate. Mundrey advocated for a more sustainable alignment via Katra, with gentler gradients and broader curves. Though more difficult to build, this route would ensure operational efficiency and safety in the long run. His foresight was vindicated when Indian Railways adopted this alignment as the official plan.
Conception of the Chenab Bridge

This alignment required bridging the Chenab River, where the gorge was deeper than the Eiffel Tower is tall. Mundrey conceived that only a massive steel arch bridge could span such a chasm. Consulting international experts, including American engineer Theodore Birdsall, he adopted a fixed steel arch design inspired by the New River Gorge Bridge in the U.S. German consultants Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner refined the design, setting the stage for what would become the Chenab Rail Bridge.

Today, at 359 meters above the riverbed, the Chenab Bridge is the highest railway bridge in the world—a global symbol of Indian engineering achievement. Though Mundrey retired before its construction, his vision and guidance in conceiving the project remain at the heart of its story.