Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the monumental Chenab Bridge, hailed as the world’s highest railway arch bridge, and simultaneously flag off Vande Bharat trains connecting Katra and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir today.
This landmark event is part of a larger initiative to launch multiple development projects worth over ₹46,000 crore in Katra, the revered gateway to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple. The completion of the Chenab Bridge and the operationalisation of Vande Bharat services mark a pivotal moment in enhancing connectivity across the region, promising to significantly reduce travel times and foster greater socio-economic integration.
The Chenab Bridge stands as a testament to India’s engineering prowess, soaring 359 metres above the Chenab River and spanning an impressive 1,315 metres. Constructed from robust steel, it is meticulously engineered to withstand severe seismic and wind conditions, ensuring long-term resilience in a challenging geographical terrain. Its strategic location is critical for overcoming natural barriers and facilitating seamless movement. A key impact of this architectural marvel will be the dramatic reduction in travel time between Katra and Srinagar, with Vande Bharat trains completing the journey in approximately three hours, cutting existing travel durations by two to three hours. This highlights the government’s unwavering commitment to bolstering infrastructure and connectivity within the Union Territory.
Beyond the Chenab Bridge, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate components of the extensive 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. Constructed at a substantial cost of around ₹43,780 crore, the USBRL project is a colossal undertaking that includes 36 tunnels, spanning an astonishing 119 kilometres, and 943 bridges. This ambitious network establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, thereby aiming to transform regional mobility and drive profound socio-economic integration. Such large-scale rail infrastructure projects are inherently eco-friendly, providing a lower-carbon alternative to road and air travel for mass transit, thereby contributing to the development of zero net carbon cities.
In a significant push for last-mile connectivity, particularly in sensitive border areas, Prime Minister Modi will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various road projects. These road initiatives are crucial for complementing the rail network, ensuring comprehensive multi-modal connectivity that reaches even remote populations. Improved road infrastructure will facilitate better access to markets, healthcare, and educational opportunities, fostering more equitable development across the region.
Further demonstrating a commitment to enhancing social infrastructure, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, a project valued at over ₹350 crore. This institute will be the first medical college in Reasi district, substantially contributing to the healthcare infrastructure in the region. The establishment of such modern medical facilities is vital for improving public health outcomes, providing accessible healthcare services, and creating new employment opportunities, especially for women in healthcare, thereby promoting gender-neutral advancement.
The culmination of these infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir represents a significant stride towards greater connectivity, economic growth, and social well-being for the region’s inhabitants. By integrating the Kashmir Valley more closely with the national mainstream through robust and resilient transportation networks, these initiatives aim to unlock the full potential of its economy, foster sustainable tourism, and improve the daily lives of its citizens, ensuring that the benefits of development are widely shared. The focus on reliable, all-weather infrastructure is critical for the long-term prosperity and stability of this strategically important region.
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