PM Modi inaugurates ₹43,780-crore Chenab rail bridge, world's tallest arch; 272-km USBRL rail link to Kashmir now complete
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the Chenab railway bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. Standing as the tallest railway arch bridge globally, the structure marks the conclusion of a 42-year effort to connect Kashmir to the rest of India through rail. The inauguration was attended by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Vande Bharat now runs between Jammu and Srinagar
The event also saw the launch of a Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar, creating the first train link between the Jammu region and the Kashmir valley. The train is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line (USBRL) and is equipped to handle extreme winter conditions, including sub-zero temperatures as low as -20°C.
'PM @narendramodi at the Chenab Bridge. The state-of-the-art bridge will improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar,' posts PMO India (@PMOIndia). pic.twitter.com/MSYGga3xCL
USBRL Project: A feat across the Himalayas
The USBRL stretches 272 km through the rugged Himalayan landscape and is completely electrified. It features 36 tunnels with a combined length of 119 km and 943 bridges, and has been constructed at a cost of ₹43,780 crore. Key sections of the line were opened in phases—Qazigund-Baramulla in 2009, Qazigund-Banihal in 2013, Udhampur-Katra in 2014, and Banihal-Sangaldan in February 2024.
Train designed for harsh terrain and all-weather operation
The newly introduced Vande Bharat Express is designed to endure the challenges of the region. Features like heated windshields, thermal insulation, and advanced heating systems ensure that the train can run comfortably in freezing conditions and serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir year-round.
This new railway infrastructure is expected to improve trade, tourism, and daily mobility across the region.
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