Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the world`s highest railway arch bridge – `Chenab Railway Bridge` – and India`s first cable-stayed `Anji Bridge` in Jammu and Kashmir`s Reasi district. Both of these monumental engineering marvels will enhance Jammu and Kashmir`s connectivity to the entire country in a very subtle and easy way.
During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi waved the Tiranga, the Indian national flag, and carried it forward on the deck of the bridge on the Chenab River.
Along with the Prime Minister, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, they were also present during the inauguration.
Furthermore, just before the inauguration of the Chenab bridge, the Prime Minister inspected the railway arch bridge himself. While the Prime Minister was attending the inauguration ceremony, he also met and spoke with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union MoS Jitendra Singh. Furthermore, he also interacted with the workers who had worked on the USBRL project.
The PM recently inaugurated two bridges as part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project in Jammu and Kashmir.
The iconic Chenab Railway Bridge is the world`s highest railway arch bridge and is part of the Katra-to-Sangaldan stretch, connecting New Delhi directly with Kashmir via Katra.
The bridge is situated in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir and is an engineering marvel, standing at a height of 359 meters above the riverbed. It will officially connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India via rail for the first time in history.
However, the project, part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), faced numerous engineering and logistical challenges due to the region`s difficult terrain and seismic sensitivity. Yet, after years of meticulous work, the bridge now stands as a testament to India`s technological prowess and commitment to inclusive development.
Apart from that, Prime Minister Modi will also flag off two Vande Bharat trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar in a few hours. Both the trains which will soon be inaugurated provide a quick, pleasant, and dependable transportation option for locals, visitors, and pilgrims, among others, reported by ANI.
The Prime Minister will also dedicate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the people. The 272 km long USBRL project, worth around Rs 43,780 crore, consists of 36 tunnels (reaching 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project will provide all-weather, seamless train connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, with the goal of transforming regional mobility and driving socioeconomic integration.
(With ANI Inputs)