SRINAGAR: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir to inaugurate the train service to Kashmir from Katra, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Monday chaired a high-level meeting in Jammu to review the security arrangements in the region.
DGP conducted a comprehensive review and directed officers to ensure foolproof security measures.
Meanwhile, the Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for the Prime Minister’s security, has taken control of the venue in Katra, where PM Modi is scheduled to flag off the first train to Kashmir on April 19.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate the inaugural train service between Katra in Jammu and Srinagar in Kashmir. He will also inaugurate the Chenab Bridge.
PM Modi has previously described the Chenab Bridge as an “unparalleled” example of engineering. The launch of commercial train operations between Kashmir and Jammu will mark the beginning of full rail connectivity between the Valley and the rest of the country. Initially, Indian Railways will operate one Vande Bharat train between Katra and Srinagar, allowing travellers to cover the distance in just over three hours. Currently, the same journey takes around six to seven hours by road.
Northern Railway has been conducting trial runs between Kashmir and Jammu for over two months. At present, train services in Kashmir are limited to the Sangaldan–Baramulla section, while long-distance trains terminate at Katra.
The bridge over the Chenab River is 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower.
Officials said around 29,000 tonnes of steel were used in its construction. They added that due to the region’s vulnerability to earthquakes, the bridge was designed and built to withstand seismic events of up to magnitude eight on the Richter scale. (KNO)
