Security up as PM Modi likely to inaugurate Katra-Srinagar rail link on June 6
Jammu, June 3 (UNI) A tight security blanket has been put in place in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly along the railway lines, railway stations and the platforms ahead of the inauguration of much awaited Katra-Srinagar rail link by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely on June 6.
The rail link, which was scheduled to be inaugurated on April 19 by PM Modi, was postponed due to bad weather forecast.
'So far nothing has been issued in 'black and white' regarding the VVIP visit, but the security has further been heightened across on the directions of the top officials, so it is expected that the Katra-Srinagar rail link is to be inaugurated by this weekend,' an official said.
They added that the inauguration of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla-Rail Project (USBRL) by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is much awaited and a dream project of millions of people.
As per sources, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the world's tallest Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Rail Bridge during expected visit on June 6, and will also flag off the special Kashmir edition of Vande Bharat Express from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station to Srinagar.
He may also address a public programme at the Sports Ground, Katra.
This will be the first visit of the Prime Minister to Jammu and Kashmir during ongoing Operation Sindoor and post April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, were killed.
Out of the total 272-km, Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, 209 km was commissioned in phases with the first phase (118km Qazigund-Baramulla section) commissioned in October 2009, followed by (18-km) Banihal-Qazigund in June 2013, (25-km) Udhampur-Katra in July 2014 and (48.1 km ) Banihal-Sangaldan stretch in February, last year.
The work on the 46- km Sangaldan-Reasi section was also completed in June last year, leaving a total of 17 km stretch between Reasi and Katra which was also completed in February-March this year that led to the start of trial run of trains including of Vande Bharat.
The Katra to Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will have features like heating systems, anti-spall layers, and automatic doors.
The train is designed to operate smoothly in cold weather, down to minus 20 degrees Celsius.
The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat will run on the world's highest railway arch bridge and Anji Bridge constructed on river Chenab in Reasi district.
UNI VBH PRS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Who is Ishan Tharoor? Meet journalist son of Shashi Tharoor who questioned father
In a moment that drew attention both in diplomatic circles and the Indian media, Ishan Tharoor, a Washington-based journalist and son of senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor , posed a pointed question to his father during an official engagement in the United States. The query revolved around Pakistan's role in the Pahalgam terror attack , which claimed 26 lives. As Shashi Tharoor led a multi-party Indian delegation on Operation Sindoor , Ishan, in his professional capacity, raised questions regarding international response and Pakistan's repeated denials—bringing family, politics, and journalism into one spotlight. Ishan Tharoor: Columnist at The Washington Post Ishan Tharoor is an established global affairs columnist at The Washington Post, where he regularly covers international diplomacy, geopolitics, and historical legacies shaping today's world. His journalistic career spans nearly two decades, starting with Time magazine before moving to The Washington Post in 2014. He has earned a reputation for his analytical and critical insights into complex global issues. Educational background and early life of Ishan Tharoor Born in Singapore in 1984, Ishan is the twin son of Shashi Tharoor, who was then serving as an international diplomat. He studied at Yale University, graduating in 2006 with a degree in history focused on race and migration. He was also awarded the prestigious Sudler Fellowship, a mark of distinction in the arts and humanities. Academic contributions Beyond journalism, Ishan has also engaged in academia. Between 2018 and 2020, he worked as an adjunct instructor at Georgetown University, where he taught a course titled Global Affairs in the Digital Age at the university's School of Foreign Service. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologist: Just Add 1 Drop Of This Household Item To Any Dark Spot And Wait 3 Minutes Dark Spot Corrector Undo His academic focus aligns closely with his journalistic beat—global politics and historical narratives. The moment that made headlines During a public interaction in Washington, D.C., where his father was representing India in Operation Sindoor, Ishan asked Shashi Tharoor whether any of the countries visited demanded evidence of Pakistan's involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack. He also raised the issue of Pakistan's consistent denial of such allegations. The question sparked conversations across media for its boldness and irony—son grilling father on a sensitive geopolitical issue. US: Tharoor's Savage Reply After His Journalist Son Ishaan Confronts On Proof Against Pakistan Shashi Tharoor's response Shashi Tharoor responded that no country had asked for proof, citing a '37-year pattern' of Pakistani involvement in similar attacks. He emphasized that India's retaliatory measures were based on strong evidence and that global partners recognized this context. He humorously noted that he hadn't 'planted' the question, acknowledging Ishan's journalistic independence. Public reactions and legacy The father-son exchange has been widely discussed as a rare instance where professional duty intersected with personal ties on an international stage. It also reinforced Ishan Tharoor's standing as a credible journalist unafraid to ask tough questions—even to his own father.
Hindustan Times
39 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Include disaster resilience in higher education: PM Modi at CDRI conference
New Delhi: Courses, modules and skill development programmes on disaster resilience need to become part of higher education, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday at a two-day conference, organized by Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure in Nice, France, laying down five key areas for disaster preparedness. 'Including disaster resilience in higher education will help build a skilled workforce that can tackle future challenges. Secondly, many countries face disasters and rebuild with resilience. A global digital repository of their learnings and best practices would be beneficial,' Modi said, in his video address. Thirdly, disaster resilience requires innovative financing, Modi emphasised. 'We must design actionable programmes and ensure developing nations have access to finance,' he said. 'Fourth: We consider Small Island Developing States as Large Ocean Countries. Due to their vulnerability, they deserve special attention,' Modi said adding: 'Fifth: Strengthening early warning systems and coordination is crucial. This helps timely decisions and effective last-mile communication. I am sure that discussions in this conference will consider these aspects. Let us build infrastructure that stands firm against time and tide. Let us build a strong and resilient future for the world.' The CDRI conference is taking place in Nice ahead of the Third UN Ocean Conference in which resilience of coastal areas will also be discussed. 'The theme of this conference is 'Shaping a Resilient Future for Coastal Regions'. Coastal regions and islands are at great risk due to natural disasters and climate change. In recent times, we saw: Cyclone Remal in India and Bangladesh, Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean, Typhoon Yagi in South-east Asia, Hurricane Helene in the United States, Typhoon Usagi in Philippines and Cyclone Chido in parts of Africa. Such disasters caused damage to lives and property,' Modi said. Further he recalled: 'India also experienced this pain during the super-cyclone of 1999 and the tsunami of 2004. We adapted and rebuilt, factoring in resilience. Cyclone shelters were constructed across vulnerable areas. We also helped build a tsunami warning system for 29 countries.' CDRI is working with 25 Small Island Developing States. Resilient homes, hospitals, schools, energy, water security and early warning systems are being built. Given the theme of this conference, I am glad to see friends from the Pacific, Indian Ocean and the Caribbean here. Further, I am happy that the African Union has also joined the CDRI, he said. With approximately 37% of the global population residing within 100 km of the coast, contributing around $1.5 trillion to the annual global GDP, and 90% of global goods transported by sea, strengthening coastal resilience is now a global priority, CDRI said. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, said, 'We need a global push to unlock the resources required to bolster climate adaptation for the vulnerable regions, especially for small islands and low-lying coastal areas. For us, climate-resilient infrastructure is a question of survival.' David WR Adeang, President of the Republic of Nauru said, 'This conference is an opportunity to move from dialogue to delivery. Let us work together to ensure no nation and no community is left behind in building a future that is not only resilient but fair, inclusive, and sustainable.' Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda said: 'Resilient infrastructure is not just a policy option—it is a necessity for survival. We believe that resilience begins not at the shoreline but in the minds and systems we build.' The 54-member global coalition, CDRI, said it is committed to advancing climate and disaster resilient infrastructure across Africa. Other announcements include the awarding of research grants for 53 projects spanning 21 countries, as well as a call to action for accelerating infrastructure resilience in small island nations. In a separate event in Geneva, M Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, India Meteorological Department (IMD), was awarded the United Nations Sasakawa Award 2025 for Disaster Risk Reduction on Friday. The award was conferred for minimising deaths due to any cyclone over the north Indian Ocean region, not only in India, but also in 13 World Meteorological Organisation member countries bordering the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Trade Threats Ended Indo-Pak Conflict': Donald Trump Doubles Down, Takes Credit For Halting War Again
'Kashmir To Kanyakumari Now Reality': PM Modi Flags Off Vande Bharat From Katra To Srinagar | J&K Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir, inaugurated the world's highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab and India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Bridge. Modi also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar. Speaking at a public rally in Katra, his first visit since the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, he said 'Walking on the Chenab and Anji bridges, I lived the lofty aspirations of India.' Calling J&K the 'crown jewel of India,' Modi proudly declared, 'From Kashmir to Kanyakumari is now a railway reality.'#narendramodi #omarabdullah #modi #chenabbridge #jammukashmir #kashmirconnectivity #usbrl #worldshighestrailwaybridge #indiainfrastructure #railwaybridge #fullstatehood #engineeringmarvel #indiarailways #jkdevelopment #modigovt #kashmirvalley #nationalconnectivity #britishcouldntdo #historicmoment #infrastructuredevelopment #kashmir #toi #toibharat 2.8K views | 22 hours ago
