Kashmir has long been described as a lifeline to India’s soul, but today that lifeline has transformed into steel and steel-wheeled resilience. On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the final stretch of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)—a monumental project that physically and symbolically knits the Kashmir Valley into the rest of the country. At the heart of this achievement lies the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, a signature of modern engineering rising 359 meters above the riverbed—surpassing even the Eiffel Tower in height.
This was not a sudden breakthrough; it is the fruition of a vision dreamt up in 1892 by Maharaja Hari Singh. He asked British engineers to envisage a rail line weaving through the Himalayas into Kashmir. Those early proposals were rejected as engineers deemed the terrain too dangerous . Project plans lay dormant… century upon century. Only in 1994–95 did the modern Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla project receive formal approval. It became a “national project” in 2002 under then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, anchoring its place as a strategic imperative.
Delays and ambitious budgets followed. Built across 272 kilometres of tumultuous Himalayan terrain, the rail link traverses 36 tunnels covering 119 km and includes nearly 943 bridges (indianexpress.com). The initial estimate of Rs 2,500 crore ballooned to approximately Rs 43,780 crore—now reported as a Rs 37,012–43,780 crore investment . Yet, each challenge—from unstable geology to harsh winters—was met with innovation and unyielding resolve.
These weren’t minor feats. Engineers faced landslides, seismic activity, mud surges, and extreme temperatures. The solution? Himalayan Tunnelling Method (HTM), CCTV-monitored ballastless tracks, and climate-adapted trains.
The rail link unfolded in phases. November 2009 saw the Qazigund–Baramulla section open—a foundational milestone. In June 2013 came Banihal–Qazigund, followed by Udhampur–Katra in July 2014. Progressions were piecemeal but steady, each stage breaking fresh ground in Kashmir’s connectivity.
In February 2024, Prime Minister Modi flagged off the first electric MEMU train on the Baramulla–Sangaldan section—a line built entirely with ballast-less tracks, enhancing winter reliability. That same month, India’s longest tunnel (T-50) opened officially.
By December 2024, the final tracks—including the 3.2 km Tunnel T-33—were laid. Early 2025 saw Vande Bharat trains tested and the final stretch, Sangaldan–Katra, inaugurated on April 19.
The moment everyone had waited for: On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Modi officially inaugurated the Chenab Bridge, part of the completed USBRL—a feat more than three decades in the making.
Addressing a gathering at Katra after flagging off first train to Kashmir ending years long wait of the people to ride to the beautiful Valley in rail, Modi said it was exactly one month ago that India executed Operation Sindoor and delivered decisive blow to Pakistan-based terrorists hundreds of kilometers deep inside their territory.
Modi earlier inaugurated Chenab bridge in Reasi district, the highest railway bridge in the world and Anji Khad bridge, country’s first cable-stayed rail bridge before reaching Katra where he flagged off Vande Bharat trains from Katra to Srinagar and Srinagar to Katra simultaneously followed by a massive rally at Katra stadium.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State in the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Railways V Somanna, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah among others were present at the dais.
After inaugurating the Chenab bridge, the Prime Minister walked on it holding the tricolor high. He travelled in a rail engine coach to reach the spot.
Modi said Rs 46,000 crore worth of projects, which he launched today from Katra, will accelerate development in Jammu and Kashmir, driving progress and prosperity.
“Pakistan targeted “Insaaniyat and Kashmiriyat” through the terror attack in Pahalgam. The assault was “orchestrated with the sinister intent of inciting communal riots in the country and robbing the impoverished, tourism-dependent Kashmiris of their livelihood,” Modi said.
He described Pakistan as enemy of poor people’s livelihood, saying the neighbouring country stands against humanity, social harmony and economic prosperity.
Condemning Pakistan’s repeated attempts to disrupt progress in Jammu and Kashmir, Modi declared that he will not allow this to happen and the UT will continue to march ahead with development and progress. He said the momentum of development in J&K will not be shaken by the Pahalgam attack.
declared that nothing will hinder the region’s growth, declaring that any obstacle threatening the dreams of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth will have to first face “Modi himself”.
“Tourism not only generates jobs, but also fosters unity among people. Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir was breaking records during last 4-5 years. And Pakistan’s malicious intent directly hit local workers including pony rider operators, guest house owners, guides, porters and shopkeepers with a view to spoil their earnings,” Modi said, adding the deliberate attack on tourists was meant to sabotage the flourishing tourism industry in the UT.
The Prime Minister referring to Operation Sindoor said Pakistan’s military and terror networks never anticipated India’s bold move.
“Within minutes, terror infrastructure, hundreds of kilometers inside Pakistan, which they had built over decades were destroyed during Operation Sindoor. In frustration, Pakistan took out its anger on civilians in Poonch and other border districts where it bombed school going children, destroyed schools and hospitals, and attacked temples, mosques and gurdwaras with shelling,” he said but added that the countrymen stood with the victims of Pakistani shelling with full strength.
“Jammu and Kashmir endured terrorism, leading many to abandon their dreams and accept violence as their fate. But the Government has changed this reality, enabling the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to dream again and fulfill those dreams. Kashmir’s youth now take joy in seeing bustling markets, vibrant shopping malls, and flourishing cinema halls,” Modi said.
He praised the people of J&K for standing together against Pakistan’s conspiracy in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack saying their stand against the attack sent a strong message to people with terror mindset across the globe that they have made up their mind to give a befitting reply to terrorism.
“The decades-long terrorism burnt down schools in Kashmir and ruined the future of two generations. Not only schools, they burnt hospitals and even contesting an election became a challenge for the locals,” Modi said.
Stating that people tolerated terrorism and the devastation caused by it for decades, the Prime Minister said: “People had stopped dreaming and thought that terrorism was their future. It was imperative to pull J-K out of the menace of terrorism, which we have done successfully.”
The youth of Jammu and Kashmir have decided to give a befitting reply to terrorism, he declared.
He said the people in Jammu and Kashmir are looking at new dreams, and fulfilling them as well. The youth are happy with the construction of shopping malls, opening of cinema halls. They want J-K to become a prominent shooting destination for films. They also want the region to become a sporting hub, he added.
Modi also lauded the heavy turnout at the famous Kheer Bhawani Mela, a major festival of Kashmiri Pandits, and noted that the annual Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3. The Eid festivities are in the air, he said.
Modi said the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line project is a symbol of a new, empowered Jammu and Kashmir and a resounding proclamation of India’s growing strength.
Referring to a recent statement by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Prime Minister noted that even as a student of seventh or eighth grade, Abdullah had been anticipating the completion of this project.
The Chenab and Anji bridges will serve as gateways to prosperity for Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
The inauguration of mega infrastructure projects marks a turning point in J-K’s development journey, he said, adding that the state-of-the-art Chenab bridge will improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.
The saying ‘from Kashmir to Kanyakumari’ has become a reality in rail network as well, he said.
Modi also laid the foundation and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore for Katra.
The 272 km long USBRL project, constructed at a cost of around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges.
The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration.
The ambitious railway project gained momentum during his tenure, Modi said, as he emphasized the challenges encountered, such as difficult terrains, extreme weather conditions, and falling rocks in the mountains, making the project immensely tough and demanding.
The Government has consistently chosen to face all challenges head-on and overcome them with determination, he said.
The numerous all-weather infrastructure projects underway in Jammu and Kashmir exemplify this commitment, he added.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that MBBS seats in Jammu and Kashmir have risen from 500 to 1,300, ensuring greater access to medical education, with Reasi district set to receive a new medical college that will enhance healthcare facilities in the region.
Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw who also addressed the gathering said that the dream of connecting Kashmir to the rest of the country through a railway link has become a reality due to the determination and sharp focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The nation had cherished the dream of this railway line for decades. There were great challenges in its construction, such as tall mountains and deep valleys. Instead of trying to conquer nature, working in harmony with nature, this railway line has become a reality today through this network of bridges and tunnels. This was made possible due to the steely determination, hard work and laser-sharp focus of our Prime Minister,” he said at the inauguration of the Vande Bharat train to Kashmir from Katra today.
Referring to the inauguration of Udhampur -Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project by PM Modi, Vaishnaw said it was a historic day as another jewel has been added to Maa Bharti’s crown.
Earlier, sharing notable features of the USBRL project in a post on X, Vaishnaw described the project as a “remarkable feat of engineering,” emphasising that it includes “India’s longest transportation tunnel, T-50,” which is 12.77 km long and located between Khari and Sumber.
Additionally, the rail link features India’s second-longest transportation tunnel, T-80 (11.22 km), known as the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, situated between Banihal and Qazigund. “India’s 3rd longest railway tunnel T-44 stretches over 11.13 Km; between Sawalkote-Sangaldan,” he added.
Vaishnaw highlighted that the project involves the construction of 36 main tunnels with a total length of 119.6 km, along with eight escape tunnels totalling 66.4 km.
He also outlined the details of the Chenab Bridge, which is the world’s highest railway arch bridge, which measures 1.3 km in length and stands at a height of 359 metres —35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower. The construction involved over 600 km of steel welding, exceeding the length of the railway track from Jammu to Delhi.
Vaishnaw took the opportunity to showcase the iconic Anji Bridge, which is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. 725.5 metres in length, the bridge is balanced on the axis of a single central pylon and the height of a single pylon is 193 m from the top of the foundation.
Remarkably, all 96 stay cables were installed within just 11 months, with a total length of 653 km— more than the distance from Jammu to Delhi.
“Advanced construction technique was specifically adapted to the complex geological and seismic conditions of the Himalayan region – Himalayan Tunneling Method,” his post read.
Another significant feature, the Minister shared, was the ‘all weather train movement’ – the installation of ‘ice cutter’ in Vande Bharat trains to clear snow from tracks, ensuring reliable all-weather train movement.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said “Kashmir to Kanyakumari” is no more a slogan but has become a reality with Vande Bharat train to the Valley getting flagged off.
Sinha said the inauguration of the Kashmir rail service has connected the hearts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country and will pave the way for the economic prosperity of the region.
“Kashmir to Kanyakumari is no longer a slogan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned this decade-long dream into reality. He has connected the hearts of millions of Indians, forging an unbreakable bond from north to south,” Sinha said at a public rally here after the inauguration of the train service to Kashmir.
With Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) and the launch of Vande Bharat trains to Kashmir, the Prime Minister has fulfilled the resolve of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who had dreamt of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, the LG said.
Terming it a momentous occasion that will go down in history, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Modi for dedicating the historic railway projects to the people of J-K and the nation.
The LG observed that the inauguration of the world’s tallest Chenab Railway Bridge and the country’s first cable-stayed Anji Rail Bridge will ensure that J-K gets connected with new aspirations of progress.
“The skills of our engineers to build Chenab and Anji bridges, and the hard work of our workers who carved through the mountains have eliminated the gaps that existed between the ‘crown jewel of India’ and the rest of the country,” Sinha said.
He said the Prime Minister has changed the Union Territory (UT) of J-K in the last six years.
“Its holistic development is the top priority for the Prime Minister and his various policies, speedy implementation and industrialisation have brought the Union Territory to the focal point of growth. The Prime Minister had lit a new torch of socio-economic revolution in J-K post-August 2019.
“He built strong pillars of economic development in J-K and now laid new lines of destiny in the form of railway lines on it to transform J-K at a new pace,” he said.
Sinha said since April 2022, Modi has dedicated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth over Rs 1.15 lakh crore to the people of J-K.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for ensuring firm and decisive action against terrorism and its ecosystem.
“Operation Sindoor avenged the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam and has drawn a new red line. On one hand, the unmatched power of our armed forces is ready to protect the integrity of the nation and on the other, creative power is dedicated to a developed India,” the LG said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reflected on the significant passage of time since the project’s inception in early 1980s.
“I was an eighth grade student when this project was started. Today, I am 55 years old. My children have also completed college. Now this project has been completed,” he said, pointing at the decades-long journey of the railway link between Kashmir valley and the rest of the country.
He also underscored the historical significance of the railway link, noting that even the British envisioned connecting Kashmir by rail via Uri and Jhelum, but failed to realize the dream.
“But today, what the British could not fulfill, has been fulfilled by your hands. The Kashmir valley has been connected with other parts of the country,” Omar said, commending the Centre’s achievement.
Remembering former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Abdullah said, “I will be making a huge mistake if I do not thank (Atal Behari) Vajpayee on this occasion… This happened after he gave it the status of a project of national importance and made it a part of the budget.”
Omar also highlighted the immense benefits the railway project would bring to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Jammu and Kashmir will benefit a lot with this project. It will benefit from tourism. It will benefit the residents of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said and specifically mentioned the inflated airfares during highway closures.
“When the highway closes as soon as it rains, the airlines start looting us. A ticket for Rs 5,000 suddenly costs Rs 20,000 within hours. But with the completion of the rail link, at least the loot of the passengers will be reduced now.”
Omar further expressed hope that the railway line would also help facilitate the transportation of fruits like apples and cherries to markets across the country.
Acknowledging the development of broader infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir by the Centre, Omar said, “With your auspicious hands, another infrastructure project has been completed in Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, many other projects are moving forward rapidly.”
He also cited the ongoing work on various projects in Jammu and Kashmir, including ring roads in Jammu and Srinagar, the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway, Jammu-Srinagar four-laning, and airport and railway network expansions.
Reaffirming his Government’s commitment to development, the Chief Minister reiterated his resolve to fulfill the vision of a prosperous region.
“Our Government remains committed to the vision of ‘Viksit Jammu Kashmir, Viksit Bharat’ — a developed Jammu & Kashmir, a developed India — and we are determined to realize this goal for the people of our region.”
PM Modi also inaugurated the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab river, which was completed at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore in more than eight years.
After the Chenab bridge, Modi inaugurated India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge over the river Anji.
The architectural marvel Chenab rail bridge, situated at a height of 359 meters above the river and 35 meters higher than the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions.
The bridge forms a crucial link in the 111-km stretch from Katra to Banihal, and its construction was approved in 2002, but the work started only in 2017. Before the construction, 26 km of approach roads and a 400-metre-long tunnel were built to reach the site, Railway officials said.
The cable crane was commissioned on August 31, 2013, for the erection of a steel arch, trestle and piers. In 2017, an incremental launch over a 2.74-degree circular and a transition curve of 268 meters length was successfully done for the first time in the Indian Railways.
Joining of the 467-metre-long arch span was the most critical activity, the officials said; adding precision was to be maintained so that both ends of the arch meet with no error to ensure a perfect fit of the last segment of the arch.
The arch closure ceremony was conducted in April 2021, while the other major milestone was the ‘Golden Joint’ of the deck. The 785-metre-long deck superstructure was launched from both Kauri and Bakkal ends and was finally joined over the arch.
The Golden Joint ceremony was conducted on August 13, 2022.
The Anji bridge is the second-highest railway bridge after the iconic arch bridge over the Chenab at nearby Kauri.
In October 2016, the railway decided to build a cable-stayed bridge at Anji Khad after the plan to build an arch bridge similar to the Chenab bridge was abandoned due to the vulnerability of the structure, primarily due to concerns over the geological stability of the region.
This asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge crosses the deep gorges of the Anji river, a tributary of the Chenab river, and is located in the young fold mountains of the Himalayas, having extremely complex, fragile and daunting geological features in the form of faults, folds and thrusts and besides seismic proneness of the region.
According to railway officials, the total length of the bridge is 725 meters. It consists of an ancillary viaduct, an approach bridge and a central embankment.
It has been designed to handle heavy storms, strong winds and even explosions. The total deck width of the bridge is 15 meters.
The Anji bridge has a support of 96 cables varying from 82 meters to 295 meters, officials said.
With the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Link now complete, Kashmir’s long wait for seamless connectivity is over. What began as a forgotten idea in the folds of pre-Independence history has finally become a defining chapter in India’s modern engineering and nation-building journey. More than just trains and tunnels, the USBRL is a statement of intent—of resilience against nature, of unity against odds, and of a future where Kashmir is not only seen but seamlessly reached, rail by rail.
