PM Modi Inaugurates World’s Tallest Rail Bridge Over Chenab, Flags Off Vande Bharat Trains in Landmark Kashmir Visit
In a historic infrastructure milestone for Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the world’s tallest railway bridge over the Chenab River and flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains as part of a transformative push to improve connectivity and development in the region. The visit also marked Modi’s first trip to the Valley since Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory military response to the April terror attack in Pahalgam.
Key Highlights:
- PM Modi inaugurates Chenab Bridge, the tallest steel arch rail bridge in the world
- Flags off two Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Katra and Srinagar
- Launches India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge – Anji Khad Bridge
- First visit to Jammu and Kashmir since Operation Sindoor
- Part of ₹43,780 crore Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project
Chenab Bridge: World’s Tallest Railway Marvel
PM Modi inaugurated the Chenab Railway Bridge, an awe-inspiring steel arch bridge in Reasi district that rises 359 metres above the riverbed, making it taller than the Eiffel Tower (which stands at 324 metres including antenna).
- Location: Spans the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district
- Height: 359 metres above riverbed – tallest rail bridge in the world
- Length: 1,315 metres
- Type: Steel arch bridge
- Part of: Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project
- Significance: Seamless rail connectivity from Kashmir to the rest of India
- Engineering Feat: Built to withstand high wind speeds, seismic activity, and extreme temperatures
The bridge not only symbolizes India’s engineering capabilities but also represents a lifeline of connectivity for the people of Kashmir. PM Modi arrived via an aerial route from the Udhampur Air Force Station and inaugurated the structure on-site.
Vande Bharat Express Trains: New Era for J&K Rail Travel
Following the inauguration of the Chenab Bridge, PM Modi flagged off two semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express trains that will connect Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar.
- Route: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra – Srinagar
- Trains Flagged Off: Two Vande Bharat Express services
- Interaction: PM Modi interacted with schoolchildren onboard
- Significance: Promises faster, more comfortable rail travel for locals and tourists
This move aims to bolster religious tourism, especially to the Vaishno Devi shrine, and promote easier access to Kashmir’s scenic destinations.
Anji Khad Bridge: India’s First Cable-Stayed Rail Bridge
In another engineering milestone, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, constructed over the Anji River.
- Height: Rises 331 metres above the riverbed
- Length: 725 metres
- Design: Cable-stayed, supported by 96 high-tensile cables
- Pylon: Inverted Y-shaped, standing at 193 metres
- Cables: 653 km of cable strands used
- Construction Time: Completed in just 11 months
The bridge connects Katra to Reasi, an essential link in the overall USBRL project. With its striking design and swift completion timeline, Anji Khad Bridge stands as a testament to modern Indian infrastructure innovation.
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL): Transforming Kashmir’s Connectivity
The Chenab and Anji bridges are pivotal components of the ₹43,780 crore Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which aims to integrate Kashmir into the national railway grid.
- Project Cost: ₹43,780 crore
- Total Length: 272 kilometers
- Tunnels: 36 tunnels spanning 119 km
- Bridges: 943 bridges
- Key Benefit: All-weather rail connectivity to Kashmir
- Objective: Economic integration, faster travel, and security resilience
This ambitious project, decades in the making, is expected to revolutionize logistics, tourism, and emergency response capabilities across the Valley.
First Visit Since Operation Sindoor
PM Modi’s visit comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory military strike in April following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.
- Context: Terror attack on a bus of pilgrims in Pahalgam, April 2025
- Response: India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps
- PM’s Visit: First since the operation, highlighting focus on development amid security challenges
By inaugurating mega infrastructure projects, PM Modi signaled a shift from merely a security response to a long-term strategy of integration and upliftment in Kashmir.
Strategic and Socio-Economic Significance
The opening of the Chenab and Anji bridges, alongside the Vande Bharat launches, serves not just as an engineering or political statement but a multi-dimensional boost to Kashmir’s future:
Strategic Importance:
- Strengthens all-weather, secure connectivity for defense logistics
- Bridges designed to withstand earthquakes, blasts, and harsh climates
- Acts as a deterrent against cross-border disruptions
Economic Development:
- Boosts tourism, especially religious circuits (Vaishno Devi, Amarnath)
- Opens markets for Kashmiri artisans, horticulture, and businesses
- Enhances investment prospects in the Valley
Social Impact:
- Improved mobility and access for education, healthcare, and jobs
- Integration of remote communities with national mainstream
- Greater sense of inclusion and participation in national progress
Conclusion
The inauguration of the Chenab Bridge, Anji Khad Bridge, and the launch of Vande Bharat trains in Jammu and Kashmir marks a turning point in the region’s transportation history. PM Modi’s Kashmir visit underscored a vision of integration through infrastructure, combining national security with long-term socio-economic development.
As the world’s tallest rail bridge and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge begin operations, the people of Kashmir stand at the cusp of a new era of connectivity, opportunity, and inclusion.