Srinagar, June 5: A 127-year-old dream is all set to become a reality when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first train to Kashmir from Katra.
Taking to X, PM Modi termed June 6 as a landmark day for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting that key infrastructure projects worth ₹46,000 crore—including the much-awaited Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)—will be inaugurated, transforming connectivity and livelihoods in the region.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said, “Tomorrow, 6th June is indeed a special day for my sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir. Key infrastructure projects worth ₹46,000 crores are being inaugurated, which will have a very positive impact on people’s lives.”
He emphasised that the USBRL project will ensure all-weather rail connectivity between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley, adding that the introduction of Vande Bharat trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar will significantly boost spiritual tourism and open up new livelihood opportunities.
PM Modi also highlighted the engineering marvels that are part of the new rail link. “In addition to being an extraordinary feat of architecture, the Chenab Rail Bridge will improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. The Anji Bridge stands tall as India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge in a terrain that is challenging,” he wrote.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir on 6th June.
In line with his commitment to boost rail infrastructure and connectivity in the region, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Chenab bridge and visit the bridge deck at around 11 AM.
Thereafter, he will visit and inaugurate the Anji bridge. He will flag off Vande Bharat Trains at around noon. Thereafter, he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra.
Situated at a height of 359 meters above the river, Chenab Rail Bridge is the world’s highest railway arch bridge. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions. A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. Through the Vande Bharat train moving on the bridge, it will take just about 3 hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing the existing travel time by 2-3 hours.
The Anji Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge that will serve the nation in a challenging terrain.
Prime Minister will also dedicate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation. The 272 km long USBRL project, constructed worth around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration.
Prime Minister will also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back. They will offer a swift, comfortable, and reliable travel option for residents, tourists, and pilgrims, among others.
“Visited the tallest railway bridge in the world, The Chenab Bridge, to review arrangements for the visit of the Hon PM @narendramodi ji tomorrow. Tomorrow is a landmark day for J&K when, finally, the valley will be connected to the rest of the country by a railway link to be inaugurated at the hands of the Hon PM,” Omar Abdullah wrote.
It may be recalled here, Maharaja Pratap Singh was the first ruler who dreamt of the Kashmir train in 1898. A project was sanctioned in 1905, but it could not be implemented. After independence, Jammu was connected with the rest of India, but the valley remained landlocked. Indira Gandhi started work on the difficult Chenab section (which includes Kashmir) in 1983.
However, it was the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) that made the Kashmir train dream a reality. Approved in 1994–95 and declared a National Project in 2002, the USBRL has been completed in phases.