Pokhara, 6 June: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the world’s tallest rail arch bridge built over the Chenab River in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, marking a significant milestone in the region’s connectivity and infrastructure development. From the site, he also flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express train from Katra to Kashmir, signaling a new chapter in railway transport in the union territory.
This visit marked Prime Minister Modi’s first appearance in Kashmir since the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Addressing a public gathering during the inauguration, Modi denounced the attack as an assault on humanity and Kashmir’s economy, specifically targeting the region’s vital tourism sector. Referring to India’s counter-terrorism response on May 6, he asserted that the country had delivered a strong message of retaliation.
In his 42-minute speech, Modi emphasized the transformative impact of development and inclusive governance under the NDA’s 11-year tenure, which he described as an era dedicated to poverty alleviation and social upliftment. He reiterated the government’s commitment to connecting Kashmir to the rest of India through year-round rail infrastructure.
The newly inaugurated Chenab rail bridge stands at an impressive 359 meters—taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris—and is engineered to withstand wind speeds of up to 327 km/h, earthquakes, and potential blasts. This state-of-the-art construction ensures uninterrupted rail connectivity to Kashmir, enhancing both civilian mobility and strategic readiness.
The Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar will commence operations on June 7, cutting down the journey time from 10 hours to just 3 hours. The Chenab bridge is part of the larger 272-kilometer Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link project, initiated in 1997. The project includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, including the Anji bridge—India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, which connects Katra and Reasi at a height of 331 meters.
With the completion of this long-anticipated railway project after 28 years, Kashmir now has seamless, all-season railway access to the rest of India. Indian authorities believe the new infrastructure will significantly improve the quality of life, economic activity, and national security in the region.
