Katra, Jammu and Kashmir – June 6, 2025:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited Jammu and Kashmir for the first time since the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, unveiling a series of transformative infrastructure and development projects aimed at boosting connectivity and healthcare in the region.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge, described as an architectural marvel and the world’s highest railway bridge. Towering 359 meters above the Chenab River, the 1,315-meter-long steel arch bridge is engineered to withstand earthquakes and extreme wind conditions.
Modi also launched India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge over the Anji River and walked across the Chenab Bridge, proudly waving the national flag.
Addressing a public rally in Katra, Modi said, “Former CM Farooq Abdullah’s dream from his Class 8 days has been realized today by the BJP government,” in reference to the long-awaited infrastructure projects in the region.
As part of his visit, the Prime Minister also flagged off Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar, under the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)—a 272-kilometre corridor that is expected to revolutionize travel across the Union Territory.
Additionally, Modi laid the foundation stone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, a Rs 350 crore initiative aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the region.
Altogether, the Prime Minister launched development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore, signaling a strong push for economic growth and regional integration.
To ensure the security of the high-profile event, a multi-tier security arrangement was in place, with personnel from the Special Protection Group (SPG), Indian Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and J&K Police deployed across the area.
