PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Chenab Bridge and India's first cable-stayed Anji Bridge. Chenab Bridge and Anji Bridge, after being inaugurated, will be the symbols of India's engineering excellence. Moreover, the Indian Prime Minister will also flag off Vande Bharat trains
PM Modi. File Pic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the world's tallest bridge over the Chenab River.
This project will boost connectivity to the valley in a very subtle way, enabling the economy to grow at a much rapid pace. As reported by PTI, the PM had already reached Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. After his arrival at the Air Force station in Udhampur, he left in a chopper to inaugurate the bridge.
Considering the tensions between India and Pakistan, a multi-tier security setup has been put in place for the prime minister's visit. This is his first visit to the Union Territory after Operation Sindoor, which was launched by the Indian Armed Forces across the border; it was done to reportedly hit terrorist infrastructure during the intervening night on May 6 and 7 in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead on April 22.
After inaugurating the Chenab bridge, Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate India's first cable-stayed Anji bridge and flag off Vande Bharat trains to mark the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link (USBRL). The Chenab Bridge is another engineering masterpiece that will provide direct train connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country.
PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra.
Katra is considered a base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hills in the Reasi district.
The USBRL project has been constructed at a cost of around Rs 43,780 crore, which includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges.
The project would provide all-weather, seamless train connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country, with the goal of transforming regional mobility and driving socioeconomic integration.
Prime Minister Modi will also launch two Vande Bharat Express trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and return. Residents, tourists, and pilgrims will all benefit from a quick, comfortable, and dependable mode of transportation.
He will lay the foundation stone of the road widening project from Rafiabad to Kupwara on National Highway-701 and the construction of the Shopian bypass road on NH-444 worth over Rs 1,952 crore.
As reported by PTI, he will also inaugurate two flyover projects at Sangrama Junction on National Highway-1 in Srinagar and at Bemina Junction on National Highway-44. These projects will ease traffic congestion and enhance traffic flow for the commuters.
Prime Minister Modi will also lay the groundwork for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, which is estimated to cost over Rs 350 crore. It will be the first medical college in the Reasi district, making a significant contribution to the region's healthcare infrastructure.
Out of the total 272 km USBRL project, 209 km was commissioned in phases, beginning with the 118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section in October 2009, followed by the 18 km Banihal-Qazigund in June 2013, the 25 km Udhampur-Katra in July 2014, and the 48.1 km Banihal-Sangaldan stretch in February of last year.
The work on the 46-kilometre Sangaldan-Reasi portion was also completed in June of last year, leaving a total of 17 kilometres between Reasi and Katra, which was finally completed in December 2024.
(With PTI Inputs)
