Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated key infrastructure projects worth over ₹46,000 crore in Jammu & Kashmir. These include the historic Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest

single-arch railway bridge; the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge; and two Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Katra and Srinagar as part of the

Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).

PM Modi called the projects crucial for integrating the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, enabling faster, more affordable transport of local produce like apples and Pashmina shawls.

The PM said that the projects have brought the vision of seamless rail connectivity from Kashmir to Kanyakumari closer to reality, reflecting Jammu & Kashmir’s rising potential despite

setbacks like the Covid-19 pandemic. He added that people in the region now aspire to see it emerge as a hub for film shooting and tourism.

After landing at the Udhampur Air Force station, the Prime Minister flew to the Chenab bridge site to formally inaugurate the structure. This marked his first visit to the region after

Operation Sindoor, the cross-border military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

During the visit, Modi interacted with engineers, workers and officials involved in building the 272-km USBRL, which now provides all-weather rail connectivity to the Valley. He also viewed

an exhibition on the project and met with J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

The projects inaugurated today include the Chenab Rail Bridge, an architectural marvel that stands 359 metres above the riverbed, making it the world’s highest single-arch railway bridge.

Stretching 1,315 metres, it is built to withstand extreme wind speeds and seismic activity. This bridge, as per the government, will significantly enhance connectivity between Jammu and

Srinagar. The bridge is 35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower and has a design life of 120 years. Overseen by the Konkan Railway Corporation of the Indian Railways, the project cost ₹1,486

crore and has been designed and built by the Canadian firm WSP with Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. According to WSP, the bridge took over two decades to complete.

The Indian Railways awarded the design contract to Afcons Infrastructure in December 2004, and construction began soon after. However, the project was paused in 2008 due to uncertainties

around site conditions and the new railway alignment. Work resumed in 2010 with foundation and slope excavation, and the design phase was formally revived in 2013 following the publication

of an Appreciation Report detailing key revisions and updated parameters.

Alongside the Chenab Bridge, the Anji Bridge was also inaugurated. It is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, constructed to operate in challenging mountainous terrain, further

strengthening rail connectivity in the region. In contrast to the Chenab bridge, the Anji bridge only took 11 months for completion.

PM Modi also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains running between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar. These trains promise swift, comfortable, and reliable transport for

residents, tourists, and pilgrims alike.

The Vande Bharat Express trains operating on this route will cut travel time between Katra and Srinagar to around three hours, trimming the journey by two to three hours. Passengers on the

new Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express are expected to pay around ₹660-₹715 for a chair car seat, and anywhere between ₹1,270-₹1,320 for an executive class seat. In the Union Budget

2025–26, Jammu and Kashmir was allocated ₹844 crore for railway development to fast-track ongoing projects and strengthen rail infrastructure in the region.

The Prime Minister also dedicated the ₹43,780 crore Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation. This 272-km-long rail link features 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and

943 bridges, creating all-weather, seamless connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, thereby driving socio-economic integration.

In a further boost to last-mile connectivity, especially in border areas, the Prime Minister laid foundation stones and inaugurated multiple road projects. These include the widening of the

Rafiabad-Kupwara section on National Highway-701 and the construction of the Shopian bypass on NH-444, together worth over ₹1,952 crore. Additionally, two flyovers at Sangrama Junction on

NH-1 in Srinagar and Bemina Junction on NH-44 were inaugurated to ease traffic congestion and improve commuter experience.

Modi also shared that two border battalions have been set up for both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions of the Union Territory, including a soon-to-be-completed women’s battalion, along with

ongoing infrastructure development along the international border.

Also speaking at the inauguration, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the developmental works and highlighted its practical benefits, especially with the launch of Vande

Bharat trains. He also thanked Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who as Prime Minister, declared rail connectivity of Srinagar with the rest of India as a national project, and increased its funding.

Abdullah recalled that when he was in Class 8, rail connectivity in the region was a dream. Now, at the age of 55, he said, he is finally seeing that long-awaited dream come true.

Abdullah remarked that what even the British could not achieve has now been accomplished by the Centre. He stressed that these projects will significantly boost tourism and economic growth.

Earlier, travel across the region depended on weather conditions, but with these new trains, residents will have greater freedom and consistent connectivity with the rest of the country.

Fortune India is now on WhatsApp! Get the latest updates from the world of business and economy delivered straight to your phone. Subscribe now.