
PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat train between Katra and Srinagar
8:52
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Chenab railway bridge, the world's tallest rail bridge. This engineering feat is a crucial milestone in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, now enabling seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India.

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The Hindu
10 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project fully operational after nearly 28 years
The 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project, which was started in 1997, took almost 28 years to become operational. Its first 55 km long section between Jammu and Udhampur was completed in April 2005. According to Northern Railways, the whole project was completed and operationalised in multiple phases, with the last one being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (June 7, 2025). After opening the Jammu-Udhampur section, the then UPA government focused on sections in Kashmir and operationalised the 68 km long Anantnag-Mazhom rail link in October 2008. "Then came a 32 km long Mazhom - Baramulla rail link on which train services started in February 2009. So by 2009, locals availed train journey from the last point of the USBRL project, ie, Baramulla to Anantnag," a Northern Railway official said. He added, "Since work was going on simultaneously on other sections, Railways was able to extend the train service from Anantnag to Quazigund towards Jammu side by October end in 2009." The Railways achieved another significant milestone when it further extended the train services from Quazigund to Banihal in June 2013, which involved the construction of an 11.215 km long Pir Panjal tunnel. "Almost a year later, in July 2014, the Udhampur-Katra line from the Jammu side was made operational," the official said. Banihal to Katra connectivity According to a railway source, "When the Modi government came to power, the rail services were operational from Baramulla to Banihal in Kashmir side and Katra to Jammu on the other side. The missing link - Banihal to Katra - needed to become operational for bringing Kashmir on the rail network of the country." "The Modi government completed the Banihal to Katra connectivity in two phases. First, Banihal to Sangaldan in Feb 2024 and then Sangaldan to Katra on June 6, 2025, was made operational, completing the missing link," he added. VIDEO | Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir: Vande Bharat Express, flagged off by PM Modi a short while ago, crosses the Chenab bridge - world's highest railway arch bridge.#JammuKashmir#ChenabRailBridge (Full video available on PTI Videos - — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 6, 2025 The Northern Railway said that the Banihal to Katra section has the iconic Chenab and Anji Bridge and some of the toughest and longest tunnels. "For instance, the 12.75 km long country's longest operational rail tunnel is between Banihal and Sangaldan. Many other challenging infrastructure development works were materialised in the past 11 years," another official said.


Hindustan Times
13 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
After nearly 28 years, Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project fully operational
The 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project, which was started in 1997, took almost 28 years to become operational. Its first 55 km long section between Jammu and Udhampur was completed in April 2005. According to Northern Railways, the whole project was completed and operationalised in multiple phases, with the last one being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. After opening the Jammu-Udhampur section, the then UPA government focused on sections in Kashmir and operationalised the 68 km long Anantnag-Mazhom rail link in October 2008"Then came a 32 km long Mazhom - Baramulla rail link on which train services started in February 2009. So by 2009, locals availed train journey from the last point of the USBRL project, ie, Baramulla to Anantnag," a Northern Railway official said. He added, 'Since work was going on simultaneously on other sections, Railways was able to extend the train service from Anantnag to Quazigund towards Jammu side by October end in 2009.' The Railways achieved another significant milestone when it further extended the train services from Quazigund to Banihal in June 2013, which involved the construction of an 11.215 km long Pir Panjal tunnel. "Almost a year later, in July 2014, the Udhampur-Katra line from the Jammu side was made operational," the official said. According to a railway source, "When the Modi government came to power, the rail services were operational from Baramulla to Banihal in Kashmir side and Katra to Jammu on the other side. The missing link - Banihal to Katra - needed to become operational for bringing Kashmir on the rail network of the country." "The Modi government completed the Banihal to Katra connectivity in two phases. First, Banihal to Sangaldan in Feb 2024 and then Sangaldan to Katra on June 6, 2025, was made operational, completing the missing link," he added. The Northern Railway said that the Banihal to Katra section has the iconic Chenab and Anji Bridge and some of the toughest and longest tunnels. "For instance, the 12.75 km long country's longest operational rail tunnel is between Banihal and Sangaldan. Many other challenging infrastructure development works were materialised in the past 11 years," another official said.
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India.com
14 minutes ago
- India.com
Eid al-Adha 2025: President Murmu, PM Modi Extend Greetings, Highlight Sacrifice, Harmony
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended warm wishes to citizens on the occasion of Eid al-Adha or Eid al-Zuha, urging people to reaffirm their commitment to the nation with dedication and a spirit of service and harmony. Sharing her message on social media platform X, President Murmu wrote, "On the auspicious occasion of Eid-uz-Zuha, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all my countrymen, especially my Muslim brothers and sisters. This festival explains the importance of sacrifice, faith and many noble ideals. On this auspicious occasion, let us all take a pledge to work with a spirit of dedication for society and the country." ईद-उज-जुहा के पावन अवसर पर, मैं सभी देशवासियों, विशेष रूप से मुस्लिम भाइयों और बहनों को हार्दिक बधाई और शुभकामनाएं देती हूं। यह त्योहार बलिदान, आस्था तथा अनेक उदात्त आदर्शों के महत्व को समझाता है। आइए, इस शुभ अवसर पर हम सब मिलकर समाज और देश के लिए समर्पण की भावना के साथ कार्य… — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 7, 2025 Eid al-Adha is being celebrated across India with religious fervour and devotion. The day began with large congregations for special prayers held at mosques and Eidgahs in cities and towns nationwide. Devotees gathered early in the morning, offering prayers and participating in rituals marking the sacred occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to X to convey his wishes. "Best wishes on Eid ul-Adha. May this occasion inspire harmony and strengthen the fabric of peace in our society. Wishing everyone good health and prosperity," he posted. Best wishes on Eid ul-Adha. May this occasion inspire harmony and strengthen the fabric of peace in our society. Wishing everyone good health and prosperity. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 7, 2025 Eid al-Adha, or the 'Festival of Sacrifice,' commemorates the profound faith and devotion of Prophet Abraham, who was ready to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command. In honour of this, Muslims across the globe perform 'qurbani', the ritual sacrifice of animals such as goats and sheep, and distribute the meat among family, friends, and the underprivileged. In the National Capital Region, the festival is being observed with enthusiasm. In Delhi and Noida, thousands offered morning prayers at major mosques. In Noida, prayers were held around 7:00 a.m., while in Greater Noida, namaz timings varied between 6:45 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., depending on the mosque. Throughout the day, families are expected to engage in festive gatherings, share traditional meals, and participate in charitable acts. To ensure smooth and peaceful observance, authorities across major cities have deployed additional security personnel and put necessary arrangements in place.