Inaugurates Chenab and Anji bridges, flags off Vande Bharat trains; inaugurated various road projects; lays foundation stone of SMVD Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra
Katra: History has been made as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi connected Kashmir with rest of the country through railways by inaugurating Chenab Rail Bridge and Anji Khad Bridge and flagging off the Vande Bhar trains.
Prime Minister landed at Udhampur Air Force Station this morning from there he flew to Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district. He 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 Prime Minister inspected Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River in Reasi district, a critical component of the USBRL project. Standing 359 meters above the river, the 1,315-meter-long bridge is designed to withstand winds up to 260 kmph and seismic activity. He travelled in a rail engine coach to reach the spot. He also visited a railway museum set up near the bridge, interacting with engineers and workers involved in the project.
The Prime Minister formally inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge, marking a significant step in connecting Kashmir to the rest of India by rail. The event included the release of commemorative coins and stamps to celebrate this engineering feat. After inaugurating the Chenab bridge, the prime minister walked on it holding the Tricolour high.
Following the Chenab Bridge event, the Prime Minister proceeded to inaugurate India’s first cable-stayed Anji Khad Bridge, another critical component of the USBRL project. This bridge enhances connectivity between Katra and Srinagar, facilitating smoother rail operations in the region’s challenging terrain.
At noon, the Prime Minister flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station to Srinagar and back. These trains, designed for cold climate adaptability with advanced heating systems and anti-spall layers, will operate six days a week, covering the 190 km journey in approximately 3 hours.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various road projects. He laid the foundation stone of 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 also inaugurated 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.
Won’t allow Pahalgam terror attack to hinder development work in J&K: PM Modi
Says, in Pahalgam, Pakistan attacked “Insaniyat and Kashmiriyat”
Assuring his full support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which he termed “crown of India”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday pledged not to allow the Pahalgam terror attack to hinder development works in the union territory.
He also praised the border residents for bravely facing indiscriminate cross-border shelling by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, and announced an additional relief of Rs 2 lakh for the families whose houses were completely damaged and Rs 1 lakh for those whose houses were partially damaged.
“I will not allow the Pahalgam terror attack to stop development in J&K. The dreams of the youth will be fulfilled and any obstacle has to face Modi first,” the prime minister said while addressing a public rally after flagging off the first train service to the Kashmir Valley here.
Addressing a huge public rally, the PM accused Pakistan of attacking ‘insaniyat’ and Kashimiriyat by targeting tourists in Pahalgam, saying the intent was to trigger communal clashes in India and rob Kashmiri people dependant on tourism of their livelihoods.
He said tourism provided employment and acts as a connecting link between people, but unfortunately, the neighbouring country is an enemy of humanity, harmony and tourism.
“Not only that, Pakistan is also the enemy of poor’s bread and butter. What happened on April 22 in Pahalgam is an example of that. Pakistan attacked ‘insaniyat’ and Kashmiriyat in Pahalgam.
“The intent of Pakistan was to trigger communal riots in India. It wanted to strip people of Kashmir of their earnings that’s why Pakistan attacked tourism,” he said.
While mentioning Adil, who sacrificed his life while trying to save tourists from bullets of the terrorists, PM said, the way the people of Jammu and Kashmir have stood up against this conspiracy of Pakistan, the power that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have shown this time, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have given a strong message not just to Pakistan but to the terrorist mentality of the whole world.
“The youth of Jammu and Kashmir have now made up their mind to give a befitting reply to terrorism. This is the terrorism that burnt down schools in the valley, and not just schools or buildings, it burnt the future of two generations. Hospitals were destroyed. It ruined many generations. The people here could choose representatives of their choice, elections could be held here, this too had become a big challenge due to terrorism,” he said.
Highlighting the success of Operation Sindoor, PM said: “Today is 6th June, remember a month ago, exactly a month ago, on that night of 6th May, Pakistan’s terrorists were doomed. Now whenever Pakistan hears the name of Operation Sindoor, it will remember its shameful defeat. The Pakistani army and terrorists had never imagined that India would attack terrorists like this by going hundreds of kilometers inside Pakistan. The buildings of terror that they had built with years of hard work have turned into ruins in a few minutes. Seeing this, Pakistan got very agitated and it vented its anger on the people of Jammu, Poonch and other districts too. The whole world saw how Pakistan destroyed homes here, threw shells on children, destroyed schools and hospitals, shelled temples, mosques and gurudwaras. Every citizen of the country has seen the way you countered Pakistan’s attacks. That is why every citizen of the country stands with their families with full strength.”
