Sajid Raina
Jammu, Jun 3: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Katra visit to inaugurate the Chenab Bridge— world’s highest railway bridge—and train to Kashmir on Friday (June 6), security has been beefed up across Jammu and Kashmir.
It would be PM Modi’s first visit to the region since “Operation Sindoor.”
Union Minister Jitendra Singh made the announcement about the inauguration of the bridge by the Prime Minister on the social media platform X on Tuesday morning. “History in the making… Just 3 days to go! The mighty Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, stands tall in Jammu and Kashmir. Part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL). Built to withstand nature’s toughest tests. PM Sh @narendramodi to inaugurate the Chenab Bridge on 6th June, 2025. A proud symbol of New India’s strength and vision!” Dr Singh wrote on X, as per KNO.
Prime Minister Modi will flag off a Vande Bharat train from Katra to north Kashmir’s Baramulla and another from Baramulla to Katra on Friday, marking the completion of the long-awaited railway project connecting Kashmir to the rest of the country. This initiative, which began 42 years ago, is now nearing its conclusion. Railway authorities are making final preparations for the event.
An official said that the PM will inaugurate the complete stretch of the USBRL. He will flag off the train from Katra to Baramulla in person, and virtually from Baramulla to Katra.
The official said that a formal communication in this regard has been received. The Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police Ramban visited Sangaldan Railway Station today to review security arrangements ahead of the section’s inauguration.
The train was initially scheduled to be launched on April 19, but inclement weather led to delay. It was later postponed again following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
The two new Vande Bharat Express trains will run in both directions—one from Katra to Srinagar and the other from Srinagar to Katra. Passengers will need to change trains at Katra for onward travel.
Officials said that ahead of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit a preparatory meeting of Senior Administrative and Police Officials was chaired by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Srinagar, Raj Bhawan.
The meeting was attended by Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Nalin Prabhat, DGP J&K; Anand Jain, ADGP Armed; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu; Vivek Gupta, IGP Railways; M. Suleman Choudhary, IGP Traffic; Deputy Commissioners and SSPs of Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Reasi and Udhampur and senior officials of civil and police administration.
The Lieutenant Governor, according to the officials, discussed various aspects of preparations and appealed to the people to participate in large numbers and make the launch event a memorable one.
The Chenab bridge forms a critical part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project in Jammu and Kashmir.
Located in the challenging terrain of the Himalayas, the bridge spans 1,315 meters across the Chenab River at a staggering height of 359 meters above the riverbed.
Its construction is a significant milestone in connecting the Kashmir Valley to India’s broader railway network, enhancing both economic prospects and strategic connectivity in the region.
The project, which was approved in 2002, began construction in 2004 amid formidable challenges including seismic activity in Zone V, extreme weather conditions, and logistical difficulties inherent in the mountainous landscape. Designed by WSP, the bridge’s steel-concrete arch structure incorporates 25,000 tons of steel and supports double railway tracks.
It is engineered to endure earthquakes up to magnitude 8, winds reaching speeds of 266 km/h, and even blasts, ensuring long-term durability with an expected lifespan of 120 years.
Completed in August 2022 at a cost of ₹14.86 billion, the bridge features a main arch that stretches 467 meters. Trial runs were successfully conducted in June 2024, and full commercial operations are anticipated to begin in April 2025.
Once operational, the bridge will enable train travel between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district and act as a vital link connecting Katra with Banihal. This connection will eventually allow direct rail services from Katra to Srinagar, with trains able to cross the bridge at speeds up to 100 km/h.
The inauguration had originally been scheduled for April 19, but adverse weather conditions led to a postponement.
Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, the administration in Katra is making extensive arrangements, including heightened security across Jammu and Kashmir.
Security has been significantly intensified in Jammu city, with increased vigilance at markets, entry, and exit points. Additional security measures have also been implemented along the Jammu-Srinagar railway line to ensure smooth conduct of the event.
Another senior security official added that extensive security measures are being put in place ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, marking his first trip to Jammu and Kashmir since the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
The USBRL project itself is a massive engineering feat, comprising 927 bridges and 38 tunnels along the Kashmir Valley route.
Local trains are already operational on the 184-km USBRL stretch between Sangaldan (Ramban) and Baramulla, and on the 25-km section between Udhampur and Katra. The only portion left to be commissioned is the 63-km Katra to Sangaldan section, which will complete the entire rail corridor.
A successful electric train trial was conducted on the Katra-Banihal section on January 4. Over recent months, the Railways have carried out multiple trials along the route, including on the key Anji Khad and Chenab bridges.
Of the total 272-kilometre USBRL project, 209 kilometres have already been commissioned in phases. The first phase, the 118-km Qazigund-Baramulla section, opened in October 2009, followed by the 18-km Banihal-Qazigund section in June 2013, the 25-km Udhampur-Katra section in July 2014, and the 48.1-km Banihal-Sangaldan section in February last year.
The 46-km Sangaldan-Reasi section was completed in June last year. This left only a 17-km stretch between Reasi and Katra, which was completed about three months ago. Since then, various trial runs, including for the Vande Bharat train, have been conducted.
The entire project cost approximately Ra 41,000 crore. In 1983, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi laid the foundation stone for the Jammu-Udhampur section of the railway line. By 2002, little progress had been made. It was only after the Vajpayee government declared the railway line a national project, fully funded by the central government, that significant work on the project began. (KNO)
