Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Chenab and Anji rail bridges, marking the first time the Kashmir Valley has been brought onto the national rail map. He also flagged off the new Vande Bharat Express from Katra to Srinagar, signalling the start of regular train services on the completed route.
This was Modi’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since Indian forces launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan with airstrikes.
The rail connective will offer a smoother alternative to the arduous road journey between Jammu and Srinagar through tough terrain.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of State Jitendra Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Earlier in the day, Modi visited a viewpoint overlooking the Chenab Bridge in Reasi, regarded as the tallest railway bridge in the world. He also interacted with engineers and workers involved in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
The bridges
The Chenab Bridge, billed as the highest railway arch bridge globally, stretches 1,315 meters with a 467-meter arch and stands 359 meters above the Chenab River — approximately 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower.
The 272-kilometre USBRL project, initially approved in 1994-95 during Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s government, was originally estimated to cost ₹37,012 crore. The project faced significant delays due to regional unrest and challenging geological and topographical conditions. It was ultimately completed at a cost of around ₹43,780 crore, featuring 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges.
The newly opened Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, spans 2,830 feet and rises 1,086 feet above the ground. Its main pylon towers 633 feet from its base, ranking it among the tallest structures of its kind in the country. Engineered to withstand the region’s rugged terrain, the bridge is expected to improve transport and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.
“These bridges are not merely structures of steel and concrete—they are symbols of a new era of connectivity, development, and national unity,” Modi said while addressing a rally in Katra.
Attack on Kashmiriyat and Insaniyat
Addressing a rally in Katra, Modi condemned the recent Pahalgam terror attack, describing it as an assault on Kashmiryat (Kashmiri ethos) and Insaniyat (humanity).
“Pakistan is against tourism. It is a nation that opposes the livelihood of the poor. What happened on April 22 is proof of that. Pakistan attacked humanity and Kashmiryat in Pahalgam,” Modi said.
He added that Pakistan’s intent was to incite riots in India and disrupt the livelihoods of Kashmir’s hardworking people by targeting tourists.
Tourism, which had steadily increased over the past four to five years, sustaining many Kashmiri households, was the focus of these attacks, Modi said.
Modi highlighted that Kashmir’s apples, pashmina shawls, and other handicrafts could now be easily transported across India, thanks to improved connectivity.
He praised Operation Sindoor, saying it demonstrated the strength of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
“The world is now talking about India’s defence ecosystem, and this is because our security forces have confidence in ‘Make in India’,” Modi said.
Foundation stone of new projects
In addition, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stones for projects worth ₹46,000 crore, including a new medical college in Jammu and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, the first medical college in Reasi district.
He also laid foundation stones and inaugurated several road projects, including the widening of the Rafiabad-Kupwara stretch on National Highway-701 and the Shopian bypass on NH-444, with a combined value of over ₹1,952 crore. Flyovers at Sangrama Junction on National Highway-1 in Srinagar and Bemina Junction on National Highway-44 were also inaugurated to ease traffic congestion.
Omar advocating for statehood
Batting for the restoration of statehood, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recalled the 2014 inauguration of Katra railway station, mentioning that then newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of State Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha then MoS railways, and he himself as Chief Minister were all present.
“If you see, by the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, Sinha has been promoted, while I’ve had a demotion. I was the chief minister of a state, and now I’m the chief minister of a Union Territory”, Abdullah said.
He, however, expressed hope that the statehood would be restored under the current regime.