Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6 inaugurated major railway infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Chenab and Anji bridges, and flagged off new Vande Bharat Express trains aimed at improving regional connectivity.
The Prime Minister began his visit in Reasi district by inaugurating the 1,315-metre-long Chenab railway bridge, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL). Constructed 359 metres above the Chenab River, it is designed to withstand seismic activity and extreme weather conditions. The bridge, built with corrosion-resistant steel, was completed at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore by Konkan Railway Corporation in partnership with Ultra Construction, VSL India and Afcons Infrastructure.
Security was tight during the visit, with a multi-agency setup involving the Special Protection Group (SPG), Indian Army, CAPFs, and local police, following the recent Pahalgam terror attack. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, located in a geologically challenging section of the USBRL. The bridge is seen as a key step in completing the region’s long-pending rail network.
Two Vande Bharat Express trains were flagged off between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar. These semi-high-speed trains are expected to reduce travel time between the two locations to around three hours, improving all-weather transport options. The USBRL project, now completed and dedicated to the nation, consists of 272 km of track, 36 tunnels, and 943 bridges. With a total investment of Rs 43,780 crore, the project aims to establish seamless connectivity between Kashmir and other parts of India.
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