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World’s tallest railway arch bridge Chenab and India’s first cable-supported rail bridge Anji inaugurated
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra, Jammu & Kashmir on June 6.
“We have always invoked Maa Bharati with deep reverence, saying ‘from Kashmir to Kanyakumari,’ today, this has become a reality even in our railway network”, exclaimed the Prime Minister, emphasising that the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line Project is not just a name but a symbol of Jammu and Kashmir’s new strength and a testament to India’s growing capabilities.
“Many people dreamt of this train service. What the British could not do, PM Shri Narendra Modi got it completed, and Kashmir Valley has now been connected with the rest of the country”
– Omar Abdullah, J & K Chief Minister
In line with the commitment to boost rail infrastructure and connectivity in the region, he inaugurated the Chenab and Anji rail bridges and flagged off Vande Bharat Trains, enhancing connectivity within Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, Shri Modi also laid the foundation stone for a new medical college in Jammu, reinforcing the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare facilities in the region, stating that Rs. 46,000 crore worth of projects will accelerate development in Jammu and Kashmir, driving progress and prosperity. The Prime Minister extended his best wishes and congratulated the people on this new era of growth and transformation.
He recalled how generations had yearned for this moment, highlighting a touching anecdote about Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had anticipated this development since his school days. Shri Modi hailed the completion of the ambitious railway project, citing it as a historic moment for the region’s development and connectivity.
Despite the formidable challenges of terrain, climate, and engineering obstacles, the Prime Minister lauded the government’s determination and India’s engineers for delivering marvels such as the Chenab and Anji Bridges. He proudly noted that the Chenab Bridge, now the world’s tallest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-supported rail bridge, are not just infrastructure projects but symbols of India’s ambition and resilience.
Shri Modi emphasized how these developments will boost tourism and local industries by enabling efficient transportation of Kashmiri goods like apples, dry fruits, and Pashmina shawls. Improved connectivity, he said, would ease lives, open economic avenues, and make the region more accessible.
He called on Jammu & Kashmir’s youth to join India’s manufacturing revolution and contribute to defense exports, underlining the importance of ‘Make in India’. Condemning Pakistan’s attempts to derail peace, Modi asserted that terrorism would not hinder Jammu & Kashmir’s progress.