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Vande Bharat train service to Srinagar starts June 7, marking a major milestone. Chenab and Anji Khad bridges praised as engineering feats; ₹46,000 crore infrastructure projects set for launch.
Kashmir is set to be connected to the rest of India by rail for the first time, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Srinagar–Jammu–Delhi rail link today from the Katra station in Udhampur district, Jammu. According to officials, the Vande Bharat Express between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar will commence regular service starting June 7.
Security forces intensified inspections and maintained heightened alertness in Ramban ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Katra.
Thorough security sweeps were carried out, with dog squads deployed and extensive vehicle checks conducted. Additional security measures were also enforced at Udhampur Railway Station on Thursday.
India will never yield to terrorism; J&K youth stand strong in this battle, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after inaugurating the Chenab Bridge and flagging off the Vande Bharat Express, addressed a large rally in Katra.
During his speech, PM Modi referenced Operation Sindoor, stating:
“Pakistan has once again shown its true face—opposing humanity, peace, and the livelihoods of Kashmiris. By targeting tourists in Pahalgam, they have attacked not just individuals, but Kashmir’s economy and future.”
He emphasized that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are united in the fight against terrorism and assured the nation that India will never bow before such cowardly acts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the Pahalgam incident, calling it an attack on insaniyat (humanity) and Kashmiriyat (the cultural ethos of Kashmir). He said the attack was a deliberate conspiracy by Pakistan aimed at disrupting peace and inciting communal unrest across India.
Reaffirming India’s stance against terrorism, Mr. Modi declared, “India will never bow before terrorism. The youth of Jammu & Kashmir stand united in this fight.”
Referring to the recent military success, he asserted, “The name ‘Operation Sindoor’ will forever remind Pakistan of its humiliating defeat.”
In a gesture of support for affected civilians, the Prime Minister announced additional financial aid: ₹2 lakh for families whose homes were severely damaged in Pakistani shelling, and ₹1 lakh for those with partial damage.
henab, Anji Bridges to Drive Prosperity in J&K: PM Modi
Speaking at a rally in Katra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line as a symbol of a “new and empowered Jammu & Kashmir” and a testament to India’s growing strength.
He emphasized that the Chenab and Anji bridges would act as gateways to economic growth and development for the region.
PM Modi also announced financial assistance for victims of cross-border shelling, declaring that families whose homes were severely damaged would receive an additional ₹2 lakh, while those with partial damage would be granted ₹1 lakh.
Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a rally in Katra after inaugurating the Chenab Bridge and flagging off the Vande Bharat Express, said that the phrase ‘from Kashmir to Kanyakumari’ has now become a reality in the Indian rail network.
Prime Minister Modi stated that the inauguration of major infrastructure projects represents a significant milestone in Jammu and Kashmir’s development journey. Speaking after unveiling the Chenab Bridge and launching the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar, he emphasized that these achievements mark a turning point for the region’s progress.
The BJP on Friday criticized the Congress for “spreading half-truths” regarding the Kashmir rail link project, stating that the project “gathered dust” under Congress rule. The party claimed that while the Congress made only announcements and failed to complete the project during its tenure, the Modi government took charge and successfully finished what was started.
ongress leader Jairam Ramesh described the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) as a strong example of governance continuity, which he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of consistently denying due to his “perennial desire for self-glory.”
In response, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari sharply reacted to Ramesh’s comments ahead of Modi’s inauguration of the world’s tallest railway bridge over the Chenab river. Bhandari wrote on X, “Mr Jairam Ramesh ji, stop spreading half-truths.” He clarified that the Chenab Bridge project was designated a national project by the NDA government in 2002, guaranteeing full central funding.
It was approved in 2003 to ensure all-weather connectivity to the Kashmir Valley, he added.
“After 2004, the Congress government made no progress on it. Like many other projects, it was left to gather dust,” Bhandari stated.
Then came PM Narendra Modi’s government, which not only revived the project under the PRAGATI initiative but also closely monitored every milestone, ensuring the world’s highest rail bridge was completed in record time,” he said.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “With the Prime Minister flagging off the Vande Bharat train, the connection from Kashmir to Kanyakumari is no longer just a slogan but has become a reality.”
He further added, “The inauguration of the Kashmir rail service has united the hearts of the people of J&K with the rest of the country.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that constructing bridges and tunnels in the Himalayas is a challenging task. He expressed that the dream of a rail link to Kashmir has been made possible through the determination of Prime Minister Modi. Mr. Vaishnaw also announced that the Jammu-Srinagar rail link is expected to be operational by September, with three platforms at Jammu station set to be completed by then.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, speaking at the Vande Bharat train flag-off ceremony, expressed hope that the new service will help bring down soaring airfares. He also touched upon the statehood issue, saying he hopes it will be resolved soon.
Abdullah paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had declared the Kashmir train project a matter of national importance.
He added, “I hope the Vande Bharat train will ease the burden of expensive air travel during road closures to Jammu and boost the horticulture sector in J-K.”
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River on Friday. The bridge, which took over eight years to complete, was built at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore.
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Following this, Modi also inaugurated India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge over the Anji River. He then walked across the Chenab bridge, proudly carrying the national flag.
To reach the inauguration site, Modi traveled in a rail engine coach.
The event was attended by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
