Latest news with #USBRL
Deccan Herald
2 hours ago
- General
- Deccan Herald
127 years in the making: PM Modi to flag off Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat train on June 6
The 111-km Katra-Banihal section, the final and most difficult leg of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), will open for public use - closing the last gap in a railway dream that took root as far back as 1898.
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First Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Chenab bridge opens tomorrow: Why the world's highest rail arch bridge is a big deal for India
PM Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Chenab bridge on Friday (June 6) in Jammu and Kashmir. Built at a cost of about Rs 1,400 crore between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district, the railway bridge is a part of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. Here's why it matters read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Chenab rail bridge on Friday (June 6) in Jammu and Kashmir. He will also flag off two specially designed Vande Bharat trains between Srinagar and Katra. Touted as the world's highest railway arch bridge, the Chenab rail bridge is a part of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. It could be a game-changer for India. Here's how. Chenab bridge Built at a cost of about Rs 1,400 crore between Bakkal and Kauri in J&K's Reasi district, the Chenab bridge stands 359 metres above the river bed level. It is 35 metres taller than the Paris' Eiffel Tower and roughly five times the height of Qutub Minar. The architectural marvel has been built across a gorge of the Chenab Bridge in Reasi. It is part of the all-weather railway line – USBRL – that will pass from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The construction of the Chenab bridge was greenlit in 2003. However, there were several challenges to building the bridge due to the region's harsh terrain, safety concerns and court cases. One of the biggest obstacles was to construct it without blocking the flow of the Chenab River. Engineers had to walk on foot or by mule to work on the infrastructure project during the early stages of construction. 'Logistics was another major challenge given the inaccessibility of the location and the narrow roads. Many of the components of the bridge were built and fabricated on site,' Giridhar Rajagopalan, deputy managing director of Afcons Infrastructure, told BBC. Chenab Rail Bridge, world's highest railway bridge, over the Chenab river in Reasi district, March 26, 2023. File Photo/PTI The bridge's design and construction have been done by a joint venture comprising Afcons Infrastructure, South Korea-based Ultra Construction & Engineering Company, and VSL India. With a lifespan of 120 years, the Chenab bridge can resist high-velocity winds with speeds up to 260 kmph, extreme temperatures, earthquakes, and hydrological impacts if water levels rise. The bridge, which can support trains running up to 100 km per hour, is also blast-proof as Afcons claims it can withstand high-intensity 'explosion of up to 40 kg of TNT' and trains could continue to run even if there was damage to a pillar, albiet at reduced speeds. Why Chenab bridge is a big deal for India The Chenab railway bridge will be a big strategic boost for India. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project will provide all-weather rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country. Earlier, the only land route linking the Valley to the rest of India was a 300-kilometer Srinagar-Jammu national highway. However, it has to be shut down often in winter when roads are blocked due to snowfall. Landslides also make the Jammu-Srinagar national highway inaccessible. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The rail bridge will permit the transport of military personnel and equipment around the year to the border areas,' Rajagopalan said to BBC. The Chenab rail bridge , built as part of this project, will provide a safe and reliable way of crossing the Chenab River, which is vulnerable to flash floods and landslides. Experts say the rail link could boost Kashmir's economy by facilitating trade. It will offer a hassle-free transport of goods such as apples, dry fruits, handicrafts, etc. to other parts of India. The inauguration of the Chenab rail bridge also assumes significance as it comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, wherein 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. History in the making… Just 3 days to go! The mighty #ChenabBridge, the world's highest railway bridge, stands tall in #JammuandKashmir. Part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL). Built to withstand nature's toughest tests. PM Sh @narendramodi to… — Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) June 3, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The J&K government has since tried to promote tourism, which took a hit because of the April 22 massacre. A direct train between Jammu and Srinagar would be cheaper and reduce travel time, which is likely to give a fillip to tourism. The travel time between Srinagar and Jammu will come down to between three and three-and-a-half hours from the five to six hours experienced during road travel. The Chenab rail bridge could bring not just tourists but also hope to Kashmir. With inputs from agencies
India Today
3 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Record-setting Chenab Bridge opens tomorrow, Omar Abdullah shares stunning pics
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday visited the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, to oversee the final preparations, a day before it is inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. (Photo: X/@OmarAbdullah) advertisementAbdullah shared pictures and videos of the Chenab Bridge and Anji Bridge, which is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, capturing the engineering marvels against the backdrop of breathtaking views. Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. (Photo: X/@OmarAbdullah) With the opening of the two bridges in Reasi district constructed as part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), Kashmir will get all-weather rail connectivity with Jammu and the rest of the country. "Visited the tallest railway bridge in the world, The Chenab Bridge, to review arrangements for the visit of PM @narendramodi ji tomorrow. Tomorrow is a landmark day for J&K when, finally, the valley will be connected to the rest of the country by a railway link to be inaugurated at the hands of the PM," Omar Abdullah Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister also shared visuals of the Anji Bridge seen from a helicopter. The Anji Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. (Photo: X/@OmarAbdullah) "One video of the cable-stayed Anji Bridge on the same rail link seen from the chopper," Abdullah said. ABOUT CHENAB AND ANJI BRIDGESThe Chenab Rail Bridge, situated at a height of 359 metres above the river, is the world's highest railway arch bridge. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions. A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. When a Vande Bharat train moves on the bridge, it will take just about three hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing existing travel time by two to three to endure harsh terrain and extreme weather, the bridge can withstand wind speeds of up to 260 kmph and is built to last 120 years. With a project cost of Rs 1,486 crore, it is not just a bridge, but a symbol of India's technical Anji Bridge is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge that will serve the nation in a challenging terrain. It also forms part of the USBRL project, valued at approximately Rs 43,780 crore. PM MODI TO INAUGURATE USBRL PROJECT ON FRIDAYThe 272-km-long USBRL project, worth around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic the project, PM Modi will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge and visit the bridge deck around 11 am on Friday. Thereafter, he will visit and inaugurate the Anji Bridge. He will also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back around 12 he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at MODI TO LAY FOUNDATION STONE, FLAG OFF OTHER PROJECTSIn a major boost to last-mile connectivity, especially in border areas, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various road projects. He will lay the foundation stone of a road widening project from Rafiabad to Kupwara on National Highway 701 and the construction of Shopian bypass road on NH-444 worth over Rs 1,952 will also inaugurate two flyover projects at Sangrama Junction on National Highway 1 in Srinagar and at Bemina Junction on National Highway 44. These projects are expected to ease traffic congestion and enhance traffic flow for Modi will also lay the foundation stone of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra worth over Rs 350 crore. It will be the first medical college in Reasi district, contributing substantially to the healthcare infrastructure in the region.(with inputs from PTI)Must Watch IN THIS STORY#Jammu and Kashmir#Omar Abdullah#Narendra Modi
News18
3 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
PM Modi's First J&K Visit After Pahalgam Attack: What's On His Itinerary?
Last Updated: PM Modi will inaugurate the iconic Chenab Bridge- the world's highest railway arch bridge- perched 359 metres above the river. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir on Friday for the first time since the Pahalgam terror attack, with a high-impact agenda that includes major infrastructure launches and developmental initiatives. Chenab Bridge: World's Highest Rail Arch Opens For Public PM Modi will inaugurate the iconic Chenab Bridge- the world's highest railway arch bridge- perched 359 metres above the river. Touted as an engineering marvel, the 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge is designed to withstand harsh seismic and wind conditions, symbolising a new era in Indian railway construction. Katra To Srinagar In 3 Hours: Vande Bharat To Speed Up Travel Along with the Chenab Bridge, the prime minister will flag off Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar. The trains will reduce travel time between the two cities by 2–3 hours, slashing the total journey to just around 3 hours and significantly improving intra-state mobility. India's First Cable-Stayed Rail Bridge The Anji Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, will also be inaugurated by PM Modi. It's built to serve one of the country's most geographically challenging terrains, further enhancing J&K's rail connectivity. Another major announcement is the launch of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. Spanning 272 km, it features 36 tunnels (covering 119 km) and 943 bridges, and is aimed at providing all-weather rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of India. First Medical College for Reasi: Healthcare Boost in Katra Adding to the region's healthcare infrastructure, the PM will lay the foundation stone of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, a ₹350-crore project. It will be Reasi district's first medical college and is expected to play a vital role in regional medical education and services. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kashmir Vande Bharat service to start from this date: Check schedule, stops, train numbers
Kashmir will soon have year-round railway access to the rest of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project on June 6. The 272-kilometer USBRL project will be inaugurated by PM Modi. The launch includes the opening of the Chenab railway bridge and the Anji Khad railway bridge. Two new Vande Bharat train services will also be flagged off. This project will provide consistent rail connectivity to Kashmir, regardless of the weather. It is expected to boost transportation, business, and tourism in the region. Kashmir Vande Bharat Start Date Regular operations of the two new Vande Bharat Express trains to Kashmir will begin on June 7, 2025, the day after the inauguration. - The two Vande Bharat Express trains will operate six days a week. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List - Initially, services will run from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar. - The Jammu Tawi railway station is currently being redeveloped. Once finished, the Vande Bharat Express will extend to Jammu from Srinagar. Katra Srinagar Vande Bharat Train Schedule and Numbers: - Train Number 26401/26402: Train 26401 will depart Katra at 8:10 AM, reaching Srinagar at 11:08 AM, with a stop at Banihal at 9:58 AM. Live Events - Train 26402 will leave Srinagar at 2:00 PM, arriving in Katra at 4:48 PM, stopping at Banihal at 3:10 PM. This train will not run on Tuesdays. - Train Number 26403/26404: Train 26404 will depart Srinagar at 8:00 AM, reaching Katra at 10:58 AM, with a stop at Banihal at 9:02 AM. Train 26403 will leave Katra at 2:55 PM, arriving in Srinagar at 5:53 PM, stopping at Banihal at 4:40 PM. This train will not run on Wednesdays. Kashmir Vande Bharat Project: The USBRL is a significant project for Indian Railways. The remarkable 272-kilometre railway network is constructed at a cost of Rs 43,780 crore. The railway line comprises 36 tunnels extending across 119 kilometres, alongside 943 bridges that connect various valleys, ridges and mountain passes. Two key bridges are the Chenab railway bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Khad bridge, Indian Railways' first cable-stayed bridge. Kashmir Vande Bharat Express Features: The Vande Bharat Express trains are designed to handle the harsh winter conditions of the Himalayas. The Vande Bharat Express being put to service on the Jammu-Srinagar route is specifically engineered to withstand severe winter conditions in the Himalayan region. The train maintains efficient functionality at temperatures dropping to minus 20 degrees Celsius. The incorporation of heated windscreens, sophisticated heating mechanisms and thermally insulated lavatories will ensure year-round operations whilst maintaining passenger comfort."
