PM Modi arrived at the Chenab Bridge site in Reasi district around 11 am, where he inaugurated the world’s tallest railway arch bridge. Spanning 1,315 meters, the steel structure rises 359 meters above the Chenab river.
This bridge is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, engineered to endure extreme seismic and wind conditions. Towering 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower, it was constructed using weather-resistant steel that can withstand temperatures between -10 and 40 degrees Celsius.
The project, which cost ₹1,486 crore, was executed by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited in partnership with Ultra Construction, VSL India, and Afcons Infrastructure.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh hailed the inauguration as “history in the making,” referring to the bridge as a “proud symbol of New India’s strength and vision.”
Upcoming Anji Bridge inauguration and Katra-Jammu Vande Bharat launch
The Prime Minister will soon inaugurate the Anji Bridge as well, which is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. Constructed in challenging terrain, it reflects efforts to enhance railway infrastructure in the area, according to a statement from the PM Office (PMO).
Following the bridge inauguration, PM Modi will launch two Vande Bharat Express trains that will operate between the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra and Srinagar.
The trains are anticipated to reduce the travel time between Katra and Srinagar to about three hours, cutting the current duration by 2-3 hours.
Significant infrastructure projects for J&K
Prime Minister Modi is also set to inaugurate various major infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and development.
He will formally dedicate the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project to the nation. With a budget of ₹43,780 crore, this rail corridor consists of 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, aiming to assure all-year rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of India, as stated by the PMO.
To further improve last-mile connectivity, the PM will lay foundation stones for several road development initiatives. These projects include widening the Rafiabad-Kupwara road on National Highway (NH)-701, constructing a bypass in Shopian on NH-444, and establishing flyovers at the Sangrama and Bemina junctions.
PM Modi will also lay the groundwork for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra. The ₹350 crore facility will be the first medical college in Reasi district and is expected to enhance healthcare access in the region.
Robust security measures in place
In light of the area’s sensitivity, a comprehensive security arrangement was established ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, involving the Special Protection Group (SPG), the Indian Army, CAPFs, and local law enforcement.
