Katra: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for realizing a historic vision that dates back to the British era: connecting Kashmir to the rest of India via rail. Speaking at the inauguration of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, Abdullah hailed the achievement as a fulfillment of a long-standing dream.
“Many including the Britishers dreamt of connecting Kashmir with the rest of India through rail, but it is Prime Minister Modi who has made it a reality,” said Omar Abdullah, acknowledging the monumental impact of the project. He also recalled the role of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had declared USBRL a ‘project of national importance’, laying the foundation for today’s accomplishment.
In his address, PM Modi described Jammu and Kashmir as the “crown of Mother India”, and emphasized the emotional and economic importance of the rail link. He stated that this all-weather connectivity would revolutionize the transport of Kashmiri produce like apples, helping them reach national markets faster and at lower costs.
“Today’s program is a grand celebration of India’s unity and strong willpower. With the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, the Kashmir Valley has now been connected to the rail network. We have always spoken of ‘Kashmir to Kanyakumari’, and now, this has become a reality for the railway network as well,” PM Modi said.
He noted that even Omar Abdullah had admitted to dreaming of this project since his school days, and took pride in the BJP-led government’s commitment to delivering on promises that others only spoke of.
The crowning jewel of the USBRL project is the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, built at 359 metres above the riverbed—taller than the Eiffel Tower. This engineering marvel now links the Himalayas to southern India for the first time in history.
The Prime Minister also flagged off two new Vande Bharat Express trains in the region and laid the foundation stone for a new medical college, announcing that projects worth thousands of crores were being dedicated to Jammu and Kashmir’s people.
In a fiery message to Pakistan, PM Modi referred to Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals.
“What happened in Pahalgam is a clear example of Pakistan’s conspiracy to attack humanity and Kashmiriyat… Their aim was to incite riots and halt the earnings of the hardworking people of Kashmir by targeting tourists. But the people of J&K have given a powerful and united response that has sent a strong message to Pakistan and the global terror mindset,” the Prime Minister asserted.
He assured that development in Jammu & Kashmir will not be derailed and reiterated: “This is Narendra Modi’s promise. If anyone tries to stop the youth of J&K from fulfilling their dreams, they’ll have to face me first.”
