Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate several key development projects in Jammu and Kashmir on June 6, including the world’s highest railway arch bridge, the Chenab Bridge. This visit marks his first to the region since ‘Operation Sindoor,’ India’s strikes on terror camps in Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti welcomed the inauguration as a positive step for development but emphasized the ecological fragility of Kashmir. She urged for greater mindfulness towards environmental concerns, citing a proposed rail track through orchards in Anantnag near Pahalgam as an example of potential ecological disruption. Mufti also called for improvements in passenger convenience, highlighting the existing delays of 2-3 hours for security checks at Katra.
The Prime Minister’s itinerary includes:
- 11:00 AM: Inauguration and visit to the deck of the Chenab Bridge.
- Following Chenab Bridge: Inauguration of the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.
- 12:00 PM: Flagging off of Vande Bharat trains.
- Thereafter at Katra: Laying the foundation stone, inaugurating, and dedicating multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore.
Key projects being inaugurated or dedicated to the nation include:
- Chenab Rail Bridge: An architectural marvel, 1,315 meters long and 359 meters above the river, designed to withstand seismic and wind conditions. It will significantly reduce travel time between Katra and Srinagar to approximately 3 hours.
- Anji Bridge: India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, built in challenging terrain.
- Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project: This 272 km long project, constructed at a cost of around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges. It aims to provide all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, fostering regional mobility and socio-economic integration.
- Two Vande Bharat Express trains: These will run between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, offering swift and comfortable travel.
Additionally, the Prime Minister will bolster last-mile connectivity by:
- Laying the foundation stone for the widening of the Rafiabad to Kupwara road on National Highway-701 and the construction of the Shopian bypass road on NH-444, valued at over Rs 1,952 crore.
- Inaugurating two flyover projects at Sangrama Junction on National Highway-1 in Srinagar and at Bemina Junction on National Highway-44 to ease traffic congestion.
In the healthcare sector, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, a project worth over Rs 350 crore. This will be the first medical college in the Reasi district, enhancing regional healthcare infrastructure.
