On June 5, 2025, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, to oversee final preparations for its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025. Abdullah shared stunning visuals of the bridge on X, calling it a “landmark day for J&K” as the Kashmir Valley will finally be connected to the rest of India via an all-weather railway link, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project.
The Chenab Bridge, located in Reasi district, stands 359 meters above the Chenab River, surpassing the Eiffel Tower in height. Spanning 1,315 meters, this engineering marvel was constructed to withstand seismic activity, winds up to 266 km/h, and extreme temperatures. It forms a critical segment of the 272-km USBRL project, costing approximately ₹43,780 crore, which includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges. The bridge connects Bakkal and Kauri villages, enabling seamless rail travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing travel time to about three hours via Vande Bharat Express trains.
During his visit, PM Modi will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed Anji Bridge, and flag off two Vande Bharat trains (Katra-Srinagar and Baramulla-Katra). He will also dedicate development projects worth over ₹46,000 crore in Katra, boosting regional infrastructure, tourism, and economic growth. This marks Modi’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, with heightened security measures in place.
Abdullah, accompanied by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, emphasised the bridge’s role in fostering economic integration and job creation, dismissing concerns that the rail link might negatively impact Jammu’s economy. The USBRL project is expected to enhance connectivity, support defense logistics, and promote sustainable tourism while addressing environmental concerns in the region’s fragile ecosystem.
