Latest news with #Udhampur-Srinagar-BaramullaRailLink
Hindustan Times
21 minutes ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
PM Modi opens world's highest Railway Bridge in J&K after Op Sindoor
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the iconic Chenab Bridge, marking his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since the launch of Operation Sindoor. Accompanied by J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, PM Modi unfurled the tricolor and celebrated a major milestone in national infrastructure. The Chenab Bridge, a key part of the ₹43,780 crore Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, connects Kashmir with the rest of India and stands as an engineering marvel—soaring 359 meters above the riverbed, making it 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. Watch for more
India.com
25 minutes ago
- Politics
- India.com
Plan to build Chenab bridge was approved after Kargil war, Pakistan, China are afraid due to...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the world's highest railway arch bridge – 'Chenab Railway Bridge' and India's first cable-stayed 'Anji Bridge' in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. In a remarkable gesture, Prime Minister Modi waved the Tiranga, the Indian national flag, and carried it forward on the deck of the bridge on the Chenab River, reported news agency ANI. Situated in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chenab Bridge is an engineering marvel standing at a height of 359 meters above the riverbed. This bridge is reportedly taller than the Eiffel Tower. According to the news agency ANI report, it will officially connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India via rail for the first time in history. The project, part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), faced numerous engineering and logistical challenges due to the region's difficult terrain and seismic sensitivity. According to media reports, the vision for the Chenab Bridge was first imagined over a century ago, almost 130 years ago. Built to endure extreme conditions, the bridge is engineered to resist powerful explosions of up to 40 kg and earthquakes with a magnitude as high as 8 on the Richter scale, showcasing a remarkable feat of modern engineering. Following the Kargil War between India and Pakistan, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee set the USBRL rail project into the authority of the central government. It was following the war that Vajpayee saw the urgent necessity of this bridge. The Chenab Bridge was sanctioned in 2003 to link the far-flung areas of the Kashmir Valley. The project was to be finished in six years. But the project had been delayed numerous times and could not be completed within time. Today, 26 years since the Kargil War, the bridge has finally been completed. According to the LiveHindustan reports, strategic experts believe that this ambitious Indian railway project is a major blow to both China and Pakistan. The completion of the Chenab Bridge has reportedly left the two close allies unsettled. The Pir Panjal region, often seen as a key route for cross-border infiltration, has long been exploited by terrorists. With this new rail link, the operations of terror outfits like ISI, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e-Taiba are likely to suffer a major setback, as reported by LiveHindustan. These groups frequently used the area to hide or retreat into Pakistan. Now, with seamless railway connectivity, the Indian armed forces will be able to move troops and supplies to border regions more quickly and efficiently, no matter the season or weather, marking a big step forward in national security. The Chenab Bridge will greatly facilitate the movement of troops and weaponry to the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh borders. This increased access is also giving China cause for concern. At the same time, tourism in Kashmir is worrying terrorists because they and Pakistan do not want Kashmir to develop. A prosperous and developed Kashmir makes it more difficult for them to radicalize and deceive impressionable youth. With the new rail connection, penetration via the Himalayan Pir Panjal range can be checked, which is likely to minimize terrorist activity in the Valley. Rapid response troops are also now able to move in quicker to meet challenges as they emerge.
India Today
2 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
The making of Chenab rail bridge captured in satellite images
The satellite images of the newly inaugurated Chenab Rail Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, provide a visual journey through the construction of this engineering marvel over nearly a 2017, early satellite imagery captured auxiliary structures on the two mountain peaks flanking the Chenab River in Dharot, highlighting the initial stages of the bridge's construction. By 2022, images showed the steel arch—spanning 1,315 metres—almost complete, with just a small segment left to be joined. The latest image from February 2025 reveals the bridge in its final form: a fully completed structure that used 25,000 tonnes of metal—three times the amount used in the Eiffel Tower. advertisementThe Chenab Bridge is a key component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and now seamlessly connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India via rail. Its construction in the young and geologically unstable Himalayan range posed numerous challenges. Located in a high seismic zone, the site required Indian Railways to undertake extensive geological and structural studies. The design was modified multiple times to endure simulated wind speeds of up to 266 km/ Roorkee conducted earthquake response modelling, ensuring the bridge could withstand earthquakes as strong as the 2001 Gujarat quake, which measured 7.7 on the Richter scale. Among the toughest hurdles was simply reaching the remote site to deliver heavy construction equipment and materials. Built by Afcons Infrastructure, a part of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, the bridge also meets high security standards. It was engineered to remain standing even if one of its 14 pillars collapses. 'The bridge can withstand a powerful explosion of up to 40 kg of TNT,' Afcons claims, adding that train services would continue—albeit at reduced speeds—even if the structure suffers damage or loses a Watch IN THIS STORY#Jammu and Kashmir
United News of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
PM flags off Katra-Srinagar train, dedicates USBRL project to nation
Katra (J&K), June 6 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dedicated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation by flagging off the Vande Bharat train to Srinagar from Katra railway station in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. Modi was accompanied by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The PM flagged off Vande Bharat in line with his commitment to boost rail infrastructure and connectivity in the region. The 272 km-long USBRL project, built with 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 driving socio-economic integration. This is the first visit of the Prime Minister to J&K during ongoing Operation Sindoor and post April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local were killed. Of the total 272km of the USBRL project, 209km was commissioned in phases with the first one (118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section) commissioned in October 2009, followed by (18km) Banihal-Qazigund in June 2013, (25km) 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 17- km stretch between Reasi and Katra that was also completed in February-March this year. That led to the start of trial runs, including that of Vande Bharat. The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will have features like a heating system, 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 built on the Chenab in Reasi district. UNI VBH PRS
United News of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Pahalgam attack Pak design to hurt Kashmir's economy, but we foiled it: PM Modi
Katra, June 6 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Pakistan engineered Pahalgam terror attack to hurt Kashmir's economy and brotherhood in the country, but its evil designs failed and Indian Armed Forces hit the neighbouring country deep inside. 'Pakistan attacked both humanity and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam. Its intention was to incite riots in India and disrupt the livelihoods of hardworking Kashmiris. By attacking tourists, Pakistan aimed to damage the region's economy and peace,' Modi said while addressing a massive gathering. Recalling the start of Operation Sindoor exactly a month back when the Indian Armed Forces targetted the terrorist dens in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Modi said Pakistan will forever remember its shameful defeat. "Today is June 6. Coincidentally, exactly one month ago on this very night, devastation was unleashed on Pakistan's terrorists. From now on, whenever Pakistan hears the name Operation Sindoor, it will be reminded of its shameful defeat," said the Prime Minister. Modi inaugurated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project by flagging off the first Vande Bharat Express to Srinagar from Katra railway station, marking a historic milestone in Jammu and Kashmir's development. Calling it a "symbol of a new, empowered J&K," the Prime Minister said the USBRL project represents India's growing strength and unity. 'Today's event is not just the launch of a train; it's a grand celebration of India's willpower and unity. With the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, the Kashmir Valley is now linked to the rest of India through the rail network,' Modi said. Modi said whether it's the Chenab Bridge or the Anji Bridge, both will become means of prosperity for Jammu and Kashmir. The Chenab Bridge is even taller than the Eiffel Tower, and it will draw many visitors to Kashmir, becoming a major tourist attraction in itself. The Anji Bridge, too, is a remarkable feat of engineering. Both these bridges are not just made of bricks, cement, or steel—they are a living testament to India's strength and determination on the challenging terrain of the Pir Panjal mountains. He said today the dream of lakhs of people of Jammu and Kashmir has been fulfilled. "All the good work has been left for me. It is the good fortune of our government that this project gained momentum during our tenure, and we completed it," Modi said. Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, 'Now Kashmir to Kanyakumari is not just a slogan. By inaugurating the project, the Prime Minister has connected the two ends of the country'. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said rail connectivity will not only help the people of Jammu and Kashmir but also help in transporting fruits and other items to the rest of the country. Abdullah also thanked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for granting the project of 'national importance' and increasing its budget. Earlier, Modi dedicated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation by flagging off the Vande Bharat train to Srinagar from Katra railway station in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. He also flagged off Vande Bharat in line with his commitment to boost rail infrastructure and connectivity in the region. The 272 km-long USBRL project, built with 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 driving socio-economic integration. This is the Prime Minister's first visit to J&K during ongoing Operation Sindoor and post April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, were killed. Of the total 272 km USBRL project, 209 km was commissioned in phases with the first one (118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section) commissioned in October 2009, followed by (18km) Banihal-Qazigund in June 2013, (25km) 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 17-km stretch between Reasi and Katra that was also completed in February-March this year. That led to the start of trial runs, including that of Vande Bharat. The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will have features like a heating system, 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 built on the Chenab in Reasi district. UNI RBE VBH SSP
