A photo of the Chenab Rail Bridge, in Jammu & Kashmir
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After a gruelling wait, Jammu and Kashmir is finally set to be connected to the rest of the country by rail, offering a smoother alternative to the arduous road journey through tough terrains. The long-awaited development comes after years of engineering challenges and political uncertainty that stymied the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) railway project.
On June 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir, his first visit to the region since Operation Sindoor, to inaugurate the Chenab bridge and flag off Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar.
The Chenab Bridge, stretching 1,315 meters with a 467-metre arch and standing 359 metre above the river, rises about 35 metrer higher than the Eiffel Tower. It is billed as the highest railway arch bridge in the world.
“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 12 noon. Thereafter, he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over ₹46,000 crore at Katra,” said an official statement.
According to the statement, the Prime Minister will also dedicate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) to the nation.
The 272-kilometre USBRL, sanctioned in 1994-95 at an estimated cost of ₹37,012 crore, faced decades of delays due to regional instability and challenging geological and topographical conditions. The project was completed at a cost of around ₹43,780 crore. It features 36 tunnels (stretching 119 km) and 943 bridges.
The USBRL project will provide year-round, uninterrupted connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, ending the region’s long-standing isolation due to the fair weather Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The improved connectivity is viewed to lay the groundwork for economic growth, broader market access, and stronger socio-economic integration between the region and the rest of the country.
Boom for business
“We have been waiting for the completion of this project for many years. It will certainly give a boost to our businesses,” said Qazi Touseef, spokesperson for the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), adding that they wholeheartedly welcome the initiative.
He said rail connectivity would also help increase tourist inflow, especially during peak seasons when airfares typically surge. The alliance also hopes freight trains will be introduced to support trade and logistics in the region.
Other projects
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for several road projects, including the widening of the Rafiabad-Kupwara stretch on NH-701 and the Shopian bypass on NH-444, worth over ₹1,952 crore. He will also inaugurate two flyovers at Sangrama Junction (NH-1) and Bemina Junction (NH-44) in Srinagar. The projects aim to ease traffic congestion and improve commuter flow.
“The foundation stone of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, worth over ₹350 crore, will also be laid,” said the official statement.
Published on June 4, 2025