Jammu & Kashmir | June 6, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Anji Khad Bridge—India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge—on June 6, reinforcing the government’s focus on infrastructure-driven development in Jammu & Kashmir. His visit, part of a larger tour of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, highlights a major leap in the region’s integration with the rest of the country.
🌉 The Anji Khad Bridge: A Marvel of Modern Engineering
- Location & Scale: Spanning the Anji River in Reasi district, the bridge stretches 2,830 feet and rises approximately 1,086 feet above the valley—braced by 96 steel cables and designed to withstand winds up to 213 km/h and seismic forces
- Structural Highlights: With a massive 633‑foot pylon and built for train speeds up to 100 km/h, it’s a testament to advanced engineering in challenging Himalayan terrain
🚆 Part of a Larger Milestone: USBRL Completion
During the same event, Modi also inaugurated the Chenab Railway Bridge—the world’s tallest railway arch bridge standing at 359 meters, surpassing even the Eiffel Tower—and flagged off two Vande Bharat Express services between Katra and Srinagar The USBRL spans 272 km, includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, and dramatically improves year-round connectivity to the Kashmir Valley
- The Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat train, with WiFi, heating, and safety systems, aims to halve travel time between these pilgrimage and tourist centers.
🏛 Modi’s Message: Unity, Security & Progress
PM Modi called the bridges “transformative infrastructure” for the region and said they embody the “new strength and power of Jammu & Kashmir”
He recognized the challenges surmounted during construction, applauding the “steely determination” of engineers and workers Walking across the bridge waving the national flag, he emphasized the message of national unity and enduring connection
🔗 Beyond Symbolism: Concrete Benefits Ahead
The completion of these projects is expected to:
- Enhance tourism, offering scenic rail routes and smoother pilgrim access
- Stimulate trade and agriculture by enabling quicker movement of goods—including perishables—from Kashmir to consumer markets
- Strengthen strategic logistics, allowing year-round troop and supply transport — a key factor given the region’s geography and security demands
✅ Infrastructure Push: ₹46,000 Crore+ Future Vision
Alongside the bridges and train services, PM Modi announced over ₹46,000 crore for roads, a medical college in Reasi, and additional connectivity and development projects—signaling strong commitment to long-term growth in J&K
🧭 Final Take
PM Modi’s visit to the Anji Khad Bridge and unveiling of the Chenab Bridge and Vande Bharat services mark a historic shift: Kashmir is now firmly linked to India’s railway network. These engineering triumphs not only symbolize national unity but also promise practical dividends in tourism, trade, and security. With such strides approaching, Jammu & Kashmir enters a new era of integration and opportunity.
Source: Namaste Nri
