Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 June 2025 inaugurated landmark infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir, with a total cost of around ₹46,000 crore. These projects include world’s highest railway bridge Chenab Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge Anji Bridge, Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) and Vande Bharat Express train service from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar.
Major projects and their details
1. Chenab Rail Bridge
- Description : At 359 meters high, this bridge is the highest railway arch bridge in the world.
- Construction cost : ₹1,486 crore.
- Features : The bridge is 1,315 meters long and is designed to withstand winds of up to 260 km/h.
- Significance : This bridge will strengthen rail connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.
2. Anji Khad Bridge
- Description : India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, located between Katra and Reasi.
- Construction Cost : ₹1,100 crore.
- Features : This bridge is 473.25 meters long and 196 meters high.
- Significance : This bridge will enable rail connectivity in difficult terrain.
3. Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)
- Description : 272 km long rail link which will establish rail connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.
- Features : It includes major engineering marvels like Chenab and Anji Bridge.
- Significance : This project will provide round-the-year rail connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir.
4. Vande Bharat Express train service
- Details : Commencement of Vande Bharat Express train service between Katra and Srinagar.
- Features : This train will complete the journey in 3 hours 5 minutes and will run 6 days a week.
- Train No. : 26403/26404.
- Significance : This service will make travel convenient for pilgrims and tourists.
Security arrangements
Security has been tightened in Ramban district ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit. Police are checking every vehicle and army personnel have been deployed. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the Chenab Bridge and took stock of the preparations.
Prime Minister’s Message
PM Modi wrote on social media, “June 6 is indeed a special day for my sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir. Important infrastructure projects worth Rs 46,000 crore are being inaugurated, which will have a very positive impact on people’s lives.” He described the Chenab Bridge as an extraordinary architectural achievement and said that the bridge would improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. Anji Bridge is said to be India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge in the challenging terrain. He described the USBRL project as ensuring all-weather connectivity and the Vande Bharat train service to promote spiritual tourism.
The inauguration of these projects will boost tourism, trade and socio-economic development in Jammu and Kashmir. The region will now be connected by rail connectivity throughout the year, facilitating travel and business.