SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday inspected final arrangements in Katra ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s much-anticipated visit on June 6, during which the Prime Minister will inaugurate the completed Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), dedicate the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River, and flag off a specially-designed Vande Bharat train to the Kashmir Valley.
Describing the moment as historic, the Lieutenant Governor said the USBRL’s completion and the launch of landmark infrastructure projects reflected “the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s unflinching commitment to the development and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir.” “This is a leap forward,” Sinha said, adding that the Prime Minister’s leadership had ushered in a new era of growth, connectivity, and inclusivity across the Union Territory.
The event will also see the dedication of India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Bridge, alongside the iconic Chenab Bridge, which is taller than the Eiffel Tower and has drawn worldwide engineering acclaim. Officials confirmed that Modi will visit the deck of the Chenab Bridge in Reasi district before addressing a large public meeting in Katra.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who along with Union Minister Jitendra Singh reviewed security and logistical arrangements at Katra railway station and other venues, said the inauguration of Kashmir’s first direct rail link to the rest of the country marked the culmination of a decades-long aspiration. “This project started when I was in school — maybe class 7 or 8. Now my children are working. We’ve waited long, but it is better late than never,” Abdullah told reporters.
Abdullah called the rail service a “lifeline” that would make travel affordable, especially when road travel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway is disrupted due to snowfall or landslides. “We’ve been robbed by air ticket prices reaching Rs 20,000 during highway closures. This train will end that suffering and benefit everyone, from traders to tourists,” he said. The former Chief Minister noted the Vande Bharat train will traverse through mostly tunnelled terrain from Katra to Banihal, making it among the most challenging railway stretches in the country.
Abdullah said the rail service would have a multiplier effect on trade, horticulture transport, and pilgrimage tourism. “Apples and cherries will reach markets on time. Pilgrims coming for the Amarnath Yatra from July 3 onwards can benefit from our hospitality and faith traditions. We are ready to welcome them,” he said.
On security, the J and K administration said full arrangements had been put in place for both the inauguration and future railway operations. “The train has been running in the Valley for years without any issues. Now, the final link is ready,” Abdullah noted.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who posted images of the Chenab Bridge preparations on social media, called the June 6 programme “a landmark for Bharat and a turning point for Jammu and Kashmir.” The Modi government, he said, was delivering what had once been thought impossible. “The Katra railway station is all decked up to flag off the Vande Bharat to Kashmir tomorrow,” he wrote.
During his visit, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the rail link, lay the foundation stones, and dedicate projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore, signalling one of the most significant infrastructure launches in the region’s post-independence history.
