During a historic trip to Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the Vande Bharat Express, which connects Katra and Srinagar, and the world’s tallest railway bridge across the Chenab River.
The Chenab Bridge, an engineering wonder that is 35 meters higher than Paris’s Eiffel Tower and 359 meters above the river, was finished at a cost of ₹1,486 crore. This 1,315-meter steel arch bridge is an essential component of the 111-kilometer railway segment between Katra and Banihal because it is resistant to earthquakes and severe winds.
Although the bridge was approved in 2002, work didn’t start until 2017. According to railway officials, a 400-meter tunnel and 26 km of approach roads were constructed to make the site accessible prior to the start of the project.
Additionally, PM Modi opened the country’s first cable-stayed rail bridge across the Anji River. He arrived at the location in a rail engine coach prior to the inauguration ceremony, and he proudly marked the occasion by walking on the Chenab Bridge while carrying the Indian tricolor.
In attendance were former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The opening of these vital railway bridges has significantly improved Jammu and Kashmir’s development and connectivity, particularly by facilitating access to the Kashmir Valley.
Later, PM Modi spoke at a public gathering in Katra stressing the government’s commitment to infrastructure and national cohesion.
