🚆 Modi's Mega Move in Kashmir: World's Tallest Rail Bridge & Vande Bharat 🚄✨
- MediaFx
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
TL;DR: PM Modi's visit to Jammu & Kashmir on June 6, 2025, marked a historic moment with the inauguration of the world's tallest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River and the launch of the Vande Bharat Express connecting Katra to Srinagar. These developments aim to boost connectivity, tourism, and economic growth in the region.
🏗️ Engineering Marvel: Chenab Railway Bridge 🌉
Standing at a staggering 359 meters above the Chenab River, the newly inaugurated Chenab Railway Bridge is now the tallest railway arch bridge globally, surpassing even the Eiffel Tower in height. This 1,315-meter-long steel arch bridge is a part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which aims to bolster connectivity in the region.
🚄 Vande Bharat Express: Katra to Srinagar in 3 Hours 🕒
In a significant boost to regional connectivity, PM Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express, establishing a direct high-speed rail link between Katra and Srinagar. This initiative reduces travel time between the two locations to just three hours, enhancing accessibility for residents, tourists, and pilgrims.
🛤️ Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL): A Game Changer 🎯
The USBRL project, spanning 272 kilometers, includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, cutting through some of the most challenging terrains in the Himalayas. Built at a cost of ₹43,780 crore, this project ensures all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley, significantly enhancing regional integration and economic development. en.
🏥 Healthcare Boost: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence 🏨
PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, worth over ₹350 crore. This will be the first medical college in Reasi district, contributing substantially to the healthcare infrastructure in the region.
🛣️ Road Infrastructure: Enhancing Last-Mile Connectivity 🚗
To improve last-mile connectivity, especially in border areas, PM Modi inaugurated various road projects, including the widening of the Rafiabad to Kupwara road and the construction of the Shopian bypass road. These projects aim to ease traffic congestion and enhance traffic flow for commuters.
🧠 MediaFx Opinion: A Step Towards Inclusive Development ✊
While these infrastructural developments are commendable, it's crucial to ensure that they lead to inclusive growth, benefiting the working class and marginalized communities in the region. The focus should remain on peace, equality, and addressing the socio-economic disparities that have long plagued Jammu & Kashmir.
