Latest news with #VandeBharatTrains
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
BJP's Praveen Khandelwal hails inauguration of world's highest rail bridge in J-K
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the world's highest Chenab Bridge on Friday, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Praveen Khandelwal hailed the upcoming event, while saying that the moment will 'inscribed in history' as one of the achievements of 11 years of PM Modi-led government. Khandelwal also congratulated the engineers for achieving such a feat, which will now connect Katra to Srinagar by rail, boosting the region's economy and tourism. 'It is a proud moment for the whole country that this part of Jammu and Kashmir, which was not yet connected by rail and will be connected now with the inauguration of that bridge by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Chenab river today, this is no less achievement and I admire all those engineers, for using all their potential in building the bridge,' Praveen Khandelwal told ANI. 'The construction of a bridge in the valley is very important in itself and this too will be inscribed in history as a great achievement in the eleven years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure,' he added. PM Modi is set to inaugurate the Chenab bridge and visit the bridge deck. He will also visit and inaugurate the Anji Bridge. The PM will also flag off Vande Bharat Trains, which will travel from Katra to Srinagar and back on the bridges. Thereafter, he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra. The architectural marvel Chenab Rail Bridge, situated at a height of 359 meters 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. Through the Vande Bharat train moving on the bridge, it will take just about 3 hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing the existing travel time by 2-3 hours. The Anji Bridge is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge that will serve the nation in a challenging terrain. The Prime Minister will also dedicate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation. The 272 km long USBRL project, constructed 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 integration. The two Vande Bharat trains will be traveling from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back, offering a swift, comfortable, and reliable travel option for residents, tourists, and pilgrims, among others. (ANI)
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Excited school students gather at Katra to welcome PM Modi ahead of Vande Bharat flag off
Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 6 (ANI): An air of enthusiasm was seen in school children of Katra on Friday as they awaited Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PM is all set to flag off the Vande Bharat Express today on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) from Katra to Srinagar. The 272 km long project is built at Rs 43,780 crore and includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges 'We have come here to see PM Modi, who is coming here to flag off the first train to Kashmir... We are very excited we will get to see PM Narendra Modi for the first time... Kashmir is a beautiful place and I would love to go there...' told one student to ANI. Another student said, 'PM Narendra Modi is coming here to flag off the train to Srinagar. My whole school and all the teachers have come here. We are all very excited. The last time he was here, I could not see him, but today I am very excited that I will get to see him... I am so excited that I cannot express it in words. If I ever get the chance, I will definitely go to Srinagar...' Students also shared their excitement about the inauguration of the train. 'The train to Srinagar will be flagged off today. We are happy that we will get to travel by train and also meet PM Narendra Modi... I saw him the last time he was in Katra, but today I will see him even more closely,' said one student. In line with his commitment to boost rail infrastructure and connectivity in the region, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Chenab bridge and visit the bridge deck. Thereafter, he will visit and inaugurate the Anji bridge. He will also flag off Vande Bharat Trains. Thereafter, he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra. The architectural marvel Chenab Rail Bridge, situated at a height of 359 meters 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. Through the Vande Bharat train moving on the bridge, it will take just about 3 hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing the existing travel time by 2-3 hours. The Anji Bridge is India's first cable-stayed rail bridge that will serve the nation in a challenging terrain. The Prime Minister will also dedicate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation. The 272 km long USBRL project, constructed 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 integration. Prime Minister will also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back. They will offer a swift, comfortable, and reliable travel option for residents, tourists, and pilgrims, among others. (ANI)
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Kashmir To Kanyakumari Is Now A Reality': PM Modi In J&K After Inaugurating Chenab Bridge
Last Updated: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Kashmir is now connected to Kanyakumari by railway, fulfilling a long-pending dream of Indians. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Kashmir is now connected to Kanyakumari by a railway link — a long-pending dream of Indians. PM Modi's remark came after he inaugurated the world's highest Chenab railway bridge to connect Kashmir with Jammu. The Prime Minister said that several generations in Kashmir had dreamt of a railway connection. He added that even J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had recalled waiting for the project to be completed since he was in the 8th standard. 'This program is a festival of India's unity and willpower. With the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, Kashmir has been connected by the railway. We have been saying kashmir to Kanyakumari, now it's a reality for the railway network too. I inaugurated the Chenab and Anji bridges. Two new Vande Bharat Trains have been given to J&K. The Foundation stone of a new medical college has been laid. Projects worth crores have been given. I congratulate you on all of them," the PM said. 'The dreams of the people have now been fulfilled. Many important tasks were left unfinished, and I took it upon myself to complete them," the Prime Minister said. He further added, 'Our government has fulfilled this long-awaited dream. We stood by our promise, despite facing adverse conditions," he added. First Published:
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
"This will give a good jump to tourism": Ashwini Vaishnaw as PM Modi set to flag off two Vande Bharat trains in J-K
Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 6 (ANI): As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to flag off two Vande Bharat trains in Jammu and Kashmir between Katra and Srinagar, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that this move will significantly boost tourism and the economy in the territory. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, the Union Railways Minister stated that Indian Railways is constructing five terminals from Baramulla (Kashmir) to Jammu, which will henceforth help in boosting the economy of the region. 'This will give a good jump to tourism. The economy will receive a significant benefit. We are making a total of 5 terminals in the stretch from Baramulla to Jammu, from where things can be brought to and forth. If we have to send produce from here to any part of the country, fruits and handicrafts and several other things - it will be easier to transport that... Recently, we did an experiment where cherries were transported through trains, and it was a successful experiment. We can also bring things here from different parts of the country. Everyone will benefit from this,' Vaishnaw told ANI. Meanwhile, security has been heightened in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, with authorities increasing inspections and vigilance, particularly in Katra city of Reasi district. On Thursday, security forces also conducted extensive checks in the Ramban district, utilising dog squads and carrying out thorough vehicle inspections. Security was additionally heightened at Udhampur Railway Station to ensure safe movement ahead of the Prime Minister's arrival. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh visited the Katra railway station and inspected the Vande Bharat trains scheduled to be launched. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, 'If I tell you that I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, it will still not be enough. This rail project began when I was in the 7th or 8th class. Now, even my children have started working after completing school and college. But, better late than PM will inaugurate the Vande Bharat services and it will benefit highway gets blocked, the airlines start selling tickets of Rs 5,000 for Rs 20,000, such issues will be solved from now on.' The Northern Railway announced the commencement of regular services of the Vande Bharat Express trains between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, which will start on June 7. The services will operate six days a week, enhancing connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the prominent pilgrimage destination. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir today and inaugurate several projects, including the Chenab bridge, the Anji bridge, and flag off Vande Bharat trains. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Chenab bridge and visit the bridge deck at around 11 am. Thereafter, he will visit and inaugurate the Anji Modi will flag off Vande Bharat Trains at around noon. Thereafter, he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra. (ANI)
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
J-K: Security heightened in Reasi district ahead of PM Modi's visit
Reasi (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 6 (ANI): Security has been heightened in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, with authorities increasing inspections and vigilance, particularly in Katra city of Reasi district. On Thursday, security forces also conducted extensive checks in the Ramban district, utilising dog squads and carrying out thorough vehicle inspections. Security was additionally heightened at Udhampur Railway Station to ensure safe movement ahead of the Prime Minister's arrival. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh visited the Katra railway station and inspected the Vande Bharat trains scheduled to be launched. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, 'If I tell you that I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, it will still not be enough. This rail project began when I was in the 7th or 8th class. Now, even my children have started working after completing school and college. But, better late than PM will inaugurate the Vande Bharat services and it will benefit highway gets blocked, the airlines start selling tickets of Rs 5,000 for Rs 20,000, such issues will be solved from now on.' Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, 'In 2014, when PM Modi took oath as PM, the work on this bridge had almost stopped. There were controversies about the tallest bridge in the world as well, whether it would be possible to build such a bridge and whether it would be safe. There would be ease of travel and ease of business. Within 3 hours, you can reach Srinagar from here. The rush on the highway will reduce. This will become a part of Viksit Bharat.' The Northern Railway announced the commencement of regular services of the Vande Bharat Express trains between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, which will start on June 7. The services will operate six days a week, enhancing connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the prominent pilgrimage destination. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir today and inaugurate several projects, including the Chenab bridge, the Anji bridge, and flag off Vande Bharat trains. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Chenab bridge and visit the bridge deck at around 11 am. Thereafter, he will visit and inaugurate the Anji bridge. PM Modi will flag off Vande Bharat Trains at around noon. Thereafter, he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 46,000 crore at Katra. The Prime Minister will also dedicate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project to the nation. The Prime Minister will also flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back. Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various road projects. He will lay the foundation stone of the 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 crore. He 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 will ease traffic congestion and enhance traffic flow for the commuters. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, worth over Rs 350 crore. It will be the first medical college in the Reasi district, contributing substantially to the healthcare infrastructure in the region. Notably, this will be Prime Minister Modi's first visit to the territory after 'Operation Sindoor' - India's precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists. (ANI)
