Reasi: In a significant boost to Jammu and Kashmir’s connectivity and infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s tallest railway arch bridge. The landmark event, held in the Reasi district of J&K, marks a historic engineering feat and is part of a larger infrastructure push in the region following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22.
The bridge, which towers 359 meters above the Chenab River—taller than the Eiffel Tower—is a centerpiece of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, aimed at seamlessly integrating the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India.
Alongside the Chenab Bridge, PM Modi also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar, marking the beginning of high-speed rail connectivity in the Valley. These are the first such trains to directly connect Kashmir with major destinations in northern India.
After inspecting the Chenab Bridge, Prime Minister Modi interacted with engineers and workers involved in the project. He was joined by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh, and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, symbolising a collective effort toward regional development.
Another highlight of the Prime Minister’s visit was the inauguration of India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge over the Anji Khad, further cementing the USBRL’s reputation as a marvel of modern Indian engineering.
Constructed at a staggering cost of ₹43,780 crore, the 272-kilometre USBRL includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges, navigating some of the most treacherous terrain in the Himalayas.
