SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Union Territory on June 6 to inaugurate and lay the foundation of multiple development projects valued at over Rs 46,000 crore. According to a statement from the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Prime Minister’s itinerary includes the formal inauguration of the iconic Chenab and Anji rail bridges, the dedication of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), and the launch of two Vande Bharat Express trains, among other major works.
At the heart of this high-value push is the Rs 43,780 crore USBRL project, a 272-kilometre rail corridor linking the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country through 36 tunnels and 943 bridges. A major feat of engineering, this project brings seamless, all-weather connectivity and is expected to be a game-changer for regional mobility and economic integration.
Among the most anticipated unveilings is the Chenab Rail Bridge, an engineering marvel that now holds the title of the world’s highest railway arch bridge. Soaring 359 metres above the river, the 1,315-metre-long structure has been specially designed to withstand seismic activity and high winds. With the new Vande Bharat Express running over this bridge, travel time between Katra and Srinagar will be slashed to about three hours, improving access for locals and boosting pilgrimage and tourism.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, designed for stability in difficult terrain, further enhancing connectivity in the region.
Apart from rail infrastructure, road connectivity is receiving a significant push. Modi will lay the foundation stones of the Rafiabad-Kupwara road widening project on NH-701 and the Shopian bypass on NH-444, collectively worth Rs 1,952 crore. He will also inaugurate two key flyovers—at Sangrama Junction (NH-1) and Bemina Junction (NH-44)—expected to decongest traffic and streamline local commuting in Srinagar.
Healthcare too will see a substantial boost, with the Prime Minister laying the foundation of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra. The Rs 350 crore project will become the first medical college in Reasi district, expanding the region’s healthcare access.
