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PM Modi Inaugurates World’s Highest Rail Bridge in J&K
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge on June 6, 2025, a landmark moment in India’s infrastructure journey and a defining symbol of connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir. The bridge, soaring 359 meters above the Chenab River, is now the tallest railway arch bridge in the world, surpassing even the Eiffel Tower in height. It forms a crucial part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, aiming to integrate Kashmir fully with India’s railway network.
The inauguration ceremony held in Katra also witnessed the flagging off of the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar. This service, built to withstand extreme temperatures and snow, will cut the travel time between the two cities to just three hours. The route is designed to ensure year-round rail access, even during the harshest Himalayan winters.
Modi Targets Pakistan, Promises Uninterrupted Development
In his address, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that infrastructure progress in Jammu and Kashmir would not slow down in the face of threats. “Those conspiring to stall development through terror will fail. Jammu and Kashmir is on the path of peace and progress,” he said.
Without naming Pakistan directly, Modi denounced cross-border terrorism that recently culminated in the Pahalgam terror attack which claimed 26 lives. He reiterated that India’s response, including “Operation Sindoor,” demonstrated the country’s firm resolve to retaliate against those spreading violence and fear.
Bridging Gaps, Building Futures
The inauguration of the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, added another feather to the cap of the USBRL project. Together with the Chenab Bridge, these engineering marvels symbolize India’s commitment to not just bridging geographical divides, but also social and economic gaps.
These massive infrastructure undertakings are expected to boost tourism, enhance trade logistics, and provide job opportunities in the region. Most importantly, they symbolize a strategic and psychological integration of the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country.
Modi’s visit, against the backdrop of recent tensions and terror attacks, carried a powerful message — that terror will not derail India’s developmental agenda for Jammu and Kashmir. With engineering triumphs like the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges now complete, the region is poised for a new chapter of growth and national integration.
