On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi visited the (UT) Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), where he laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation several development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra, J&K.
- He also flagged off Vande Bharat trains, marking a significant milestone in establishing seamless rail connectivity from Kashmir (J&K)to Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu, TN).
- These projects aim to improve road and rail connectivity across the UT, with a focus on enhancing accessibility, promoting tourism, and generating employment.
Key Dignitaries:
Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of J&K; Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister (CM) of J&K; Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways (MoR); Union Minister of State (MoS) Veeranna (V) Sommana, MoR and Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T), were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Key Projects Inaugurated:
PM Modi inaugurated Chenab Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge:
During the visit, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, which is 359 meters (m) above the Chenab river and 35 m or 114 feet (ft.) taller that the Eiffel Tower (in Paris, France), located in Reasi District of J&K.
- He also inaugurated Anji Khad Bridge, India’s 1st cable-stayed rail bridge that will serve the nation in a challenging terrain.
- Both these bridges are an integral part of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).
Key Features of Chenab Bridge:
i.This bridge is built at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore and is part of the Katra-to-Sangaldan stretch, that will connect New Delhi directly with Kashmir via Katra.
ii.This 1,315m-long steel arch bridge is designed to withstand seismic and wind speeds of up to 260 kilometers per hour (km/hr) and is built to last 120 years.
iii.The structural steel used in this bridge is capable of tolerating temperature ranging from -10 to -40 degree Celsius(°C), thereby ensuring resilience across seasonal extremes.
iv.The most sophisticated ‘Tekla’ software was used for structural detailing which enables high precision in design and execution of the bridge.
Key Features of Anji Khad Bridge:
i.The bridge spans the deep Anji river valley, south of the Chenab river, connecting the Katra Banihal section of the USBRL rail line.
ii.It is about 80 kms away from the Jammu city (J&K) and is set against a striking backdrop of snow-covered peaks.
ii.It is anchored by 96 high tensile cables and the total length of cable strand used in the bridge is 653 kms. It is 331 m above the riverbed and stretch es across 725 m.
Other Key Rail/Road Projects:
i.During his visit, PM Narendra Modi dedicated 272 kilometer (km)-long USBRL project to the country. This rail link project was constructed at a cost of around Rs 43,780 crore comprises 36 tunnels, spanning 119 km and 943 bridges.
- The project provides all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aimed to transform regional mobility and accelerating socio-economic integration.
ii.He also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several road projects including, the road widening project from Rafiabad to Kupwara on National Highway (NH-701) and the construction of Shopian bypass road on NH-44 worth Rs 1,952 crore.
- Apart from them, he inaugurated two flyover projects at Sangrama Junction on NH-1 in Srinagar (J&K) and at Bemina Junction on NH-44.
iii.Also, he flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station that will directly connect Jammu division with Kashmir.
- These new Vande Bharat trains will reduce the travel time between Katra and Srinagar from the current 6-7 hrs to just 3 hrs.
- Both these trains will run over the Chenab Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge, as well as the long tunnel between Khari and Sumber.
iv.He also laid the foundation stone of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, J&K. It will be the 1st medical college in Reasi district to be built at a cost of more than Rs 350 crore.
About Jammu & Kashmir (J&K):
Chief Minister (CM)- Omar Abdullah
Lieutenant Governor- Manoj Sinha
Capital- Jammu (in winter) and Srinagar (in summer)
National Park (NP)- Dachigam NP
