SRINAGAR: A day before dedicating the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said June 6, 2025, will be a special day for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Kashmir rail link and launch multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore during his visit to Katra on Friday. This is his first visit to J&K following “Operation Sindoor,” launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 persons, mostly tourists.
PM Modi posted on X, “Tomorrow, 6 June, is indeed a special day for my sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir. Key infrastructure projects worth Rs 46,000 crores are being inaugurated, which will have a very positive impact on people’s lives.”
Describing the railway bridges on the USBRL line as an “extraordinary feat of architecture,” he said, “The Chenab Rail Bridge will improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. The Anji Bridge stands tall as India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge in a terrain that is challenging.”
He added, “The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link ensures all-weather connectivity. The Vande Bharat trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar will boost spiritual tourism and create livelihood opportunities.”
PM Modi’s Itinerary
Officials said that the Prime Minister will arrive at Udhampur Air Force Station at 10 am. He is scheduled to inaugurate the Chenab Bridge at 11 am, followed by a train journey to the Anji cable-stayed bridge at 11:30 am.
The Prime Minister will also interact with engineers, including retired personnel, involved in the project. He will return by train to Katra Railway Station and address a public rally at Katra Stadium between 12 pm and 12:30 pm.
Security Measures in Place
A multi-tier security setup has been established for the Prime Minister’s visit. Officials said a high alert has been sounded across Jammu and Kashmir. Senior police, paramilitary, army, and intelligence officials are supervising the arrangements.
Heavy deployments have been made at all venues, with surveillance drones and other equipment monitoring the situation. Security on the borders and hinterland has been strengthened to prevent infiltration and movement of suspected individuals.
Searches and area domination exercises have intensified, including checks at houses of Over Ground Workers and relatives of militants operating from across the border.
Development Projects Worth Rs 46,000 Crore
Officials said PM Modi will lay foundation stones and inaugurate several infrastructure projects. These include the road widening from Rafiabad to Kupwara on NH-701 and the construction of the Shopian bypass on NH-444, totalling over Rs 1,952 crore.
He will also inaugurate flyovers at Sangrama Junction (NH-1) and Bemina Junction (NH-44), aimed at easing congestion. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, worth over Rs 350 crore. It will be the first medical college in Reasi district.
USBRL Project Details
The 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project has been built at a cost of around Rs 43,780 crore. It includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges. The project connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India through an all-weather rail network.
The Prime Minister will also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar. These trains aim to provide faster connectivity for residents, tourists, and pilgrims.
Of the total 272 km, 209 km was commissioned in phases. The 118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section opened in October 2009, followed by 18 km Banihal-Qazigund in June 2013, 25 km Udhampur-Katra in July 2014, and the 48.1 km Banihal-Sangaldan stretch in February 2024. The final 17 km between Reasi and Katra was completed in December 2024.
Chenab and Anji Bridges
The Chenab Rail Bridge, built at 359 metres above the river, is the highest railway arch bridge in the world. At 1,315 metres in length, the bridge is designed to withstand seismic activity and strong winds. Once operational, it will cut travel time between Katra and Srinagar by 2–3 hours.
The Anji Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, located in mountainous terrain. Both bridges are part of the USBRL alignment and are expected to play a key role in ensuring year-round rail connectivity.
Historical Background
June 6, 2025, marks a milestone in Jammu and Kashmir’s rail history. The Katra-Srinagar section was considered the most complex leg of the USBRL project.
The idea of connecting Jammu and Srinagar by rail dates back to 1898 during Maharaja Pratap Singh’s rule. In 1905, he approved the construction of a narrow-gauge railway via Reasi. However, due to the region’s topography and weather, the project did not proceed for decades.
Efforts Revived in 1983
In 1983, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi laid the foundation for the Jammu-Udhampur rail line. In 1994, PM P.V. Narasimha Rao announced the extension to Baramulla. The project was formally sanctioned in the 1994-95 railway budget with an initial cost estimate of Rs 2,500 crore.
Declared National Project in 2002
In 2002, PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government declared the USBRL a “National Project,” acknowledging its strategic and socio-economic significance.
It includes four segments: Jammu–Udhampur (53 km), Udhampur–Katra (25 km), Katra–Banihal (111 km), and Banihal–Baramulla (135 km).
Jammu Railway Division
On January 6, 2025, PM Modi inaugurated the Jammu Railway Division, carved out of the Firozpur Division. It is the 70th division of Indian Railways, covering 742.1 km. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inspected the Katra-Reasi section before its final clearance. Trial runs of the Vande Bharat trains over the Anji and Chenab bridges have been completed. (KNO)
