Modi Inaugurated World’s Highest Railway Bridge Connecting Kashmir Valley with Rest of India by Railways

Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, June 6: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the world’s highest railway bridge over Chenab river connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India by railway link fulfilling a long-pending dream of Indians, and said “Kashmir to Kanyakumari has now become a reality.”

Mr Modi also inaugurated several other development projects besides the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab river and India’s first cable-stayed Anji bridge.

The Prime Minister said several generations in Kashmir had dreamt of a railway connection. He added that even J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had recalled waiting for the project to be completed since he was in the 8th standard.

“This program is a festival of India’s unity and willpower. With the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, Kashmir has been connected by the railway. We have been saying Kashmir to Kanyakumari, now it’s a reality for the railway network too. I inaugurated the Chenab and Anji bridges. Two new Vande Bharat Trains have been given to J&K. The Foundation stone of a new medical college has been laid. Projects worth crores have been given. I congratulate you on all of them,” the PM said.

“The dreams of the people have now been fulfilled. Many important tasks were left unfinished, and I took it upon myself to complete them,” the Prime Minister said. He further added, “Our government has fulfilled this long-awaited dream. We stood by our promise, despite facing adverse conditions,” he added.

Mr Modi said Indian engineers have worked tirelessly to make the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project a reality. “Chenab Bridge is the highest railway arch bridge in the world. People travel to see the Eiffel Tower, but now we have a bridge even taller than that. People will come to see this engineering marvel and also travel to Kashmir through it,” he added.

Calling Jammu and Kashmir the “crown” of Mother India, PM Modi said the new train service would ensure smooth transportation for people in Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of weather conditions. He highlighted that the train will enable apples and other products from Kashmir to reach markets across the country more quickly and at a lower cost.

Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack, Mr Modi accused Pakistan of attacking ‘insaniyat’ and Kashmiriyat by targeting the innocent tourists and said its intent was to trigger communal clashes in India and rob Kashmiri people dependent on tourism of their livelihoods. He said tourism provided employment and acts as a connecting link between people, but unfortunately, the neighbouring country was an enemy of humanity, harmony and tourism.

“Not only that, Pakistan is also the enemy of the poor’s bread and butter. What happened on April 22 in Pahalgam is an example of that. Pakistan attacked ‘insaniyat’ and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam. “The intent of Pakistan was to trigger communal riots in India. It wanted to strip people of Kashmir of their earnings, that’s why Pakistan attacked tourism,” he said.

“Tourism was increasing during the last five years in Jammu and Kashmir, and tourists were arriving in record numbers,” Mr Modi said. He said tourism fuels the kitchens of the poor in Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan deliberately targeted that sector.

“Pakistan wanted to destroy the livelihoods of guides, pony operators, guest house owners, shop owners, and roadside dhaba operators who are dependent on tourism. Adil, who challenged the terrorists, was also there to earn his livelihood,” he said, referring to the ponywala, who was among the 26 people gunned down by terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22.

The Prime Minister said it has been one month since Indian forces wreaked havoc on terrorists holed up in Pakistan through Operation Sindoor. “Whenever Pakistan hears about Operation Sindoor, it will be reminded of its shameful defeat,” he said.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the two state-of-the-art bridges before flagging off the Vande Bharat train to mark the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link (USBRL), providing direct train connectivity to the valley. Mr Modi said Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project was a symbol of a new and empowered Jammu and Kashmir, and a resounding proclamation of India’s growing strength.

He also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over ₹46,000 crore for Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district. The 272-km USBRL project, constructed at a cost of around ₹43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels, spanning 119 km, and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration.

“Today is June 6… a month ago… the night of May 6 proved to be doomsday for Pakistani terrorists. Whenever Pakistan will hear the ‘Operation Sindoor’, it will recall the shameful defeat. Pakistani army and terrorists would have never thought that India would attack them so deep inside their territory. Their terror infrastructure was turned into rubble in a matter of minutes,” he said.

The PM said the government has provided appointment letters to the families of those who lost their lives due to shelling by Pakistan after Operation Sindoor. “After Operation Sindoor, Pakistan retaliated by attacking houses, children, hospitals, temples, and mosques,” he said.

Announcing additional assistance to civilians affected by shelling, PM Modi said families whose homes were extensively damaged would receive Rs 2 lakh, while those with minor damages would be given Rs 1 lakh. This financial support is in addition to the compensation already provided, he added.

The Prime Minister pointed out that new infrastructure along the international border was being built. “As part of security and safety measures, 10,000 bunkers have been constructed in civilian areas, which have played a crucial role in saving lives. Additionally, two border battalions have been created for the Jammu and Kashmir division to strengthen security in the region,” he said.

PM Modi said the Pahalgam terror attack would not deter the government from continuing development work in the valley. In a special appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country, the Prime Minister urged citizens to actively participate in India’s growing manufacturing sector, highlighting that the world was now acknowledging the country’s defence capabilities following Operation Sindoor.

“You have seen how Operation Sindoor has shown the power of Aatmnirbhar Bharat. Today, the world is discussing India’s defence ecosystem. There is only one reason behind this. Our army’s trust in Make in India. Every Indian has to repeat what the army has done… In this year’s budget, we have announced Mission Manufacturing. I want to ask the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to join this mission… Your ideas and skills will take India’s economy and security to new heights,” he said.

Highlighting India’s rising profile as a defence exporter, he said the country aimed to become one of the top defence exporters in the world and to reach that goal swiftly. “Going forward, the priority will be to purchase indigenous defence products,” he added. The PM described this as a true act of service and devotion to the nation, stressing that it was now time to fully push for ‘Made in India.’