During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s June 6, 2025, visit to Jammu and Kashmir, significant infrastructure projects totaling ₹4,600 crores were inaugurated and the foundation laid, marking a turning point for the area. These projects are expected to greatly improve connectivity, increase tourism, generate job opportunities, and fortify the Union Territory’s overall development environment.
The opening of the Chenab Bridge, which is currently regarded as the highest railway arch bridge in the world, was a highlight of the trip. The 1,315-meter-long steel arch bridge, which is higher than the Eiffel Tower and rises 359 meters over the Chenab River in the Reasi region, is a monument to India’s engineering skill.
A vital component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, the Chenab Bridge is built to withstand strong winds and seismic activity, guaranteeing year-round rail communication between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India. With the opening of the new Vande Bharat Express trains, this connectivity is anticipated to cut the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by two to three hours.
PM Modi officially opened the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge built in difficult hilly terrain, beside the Chenab Bridge. Both bridges are essential parts of the USBRL project, which cost over ₹4,400 crores and took almost 28 years to build. The 272-kilometer USBRL has 943 bridges, including the famous Chenab and Anji buildings, and 36 tunnels totaling 119 kilometers. The project’s completion satisfies a long-standing need for the area to have seamless all-weather rail access.
The first Vande Bharat Express trains between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra were also inaugurated by the prime minister. The journey between Katra and Srinagar will take only three hours, which is less than half the time needed by road, thanks to these semi-high-speed trains, which are designed to function in harsh winter conditions and run six days a week. In addition to strengthening regional economic integration, this initiative is anticipated to have a significant positive impact on locals, visitors, and pilgrims—especially those who are attending the venerated Vaishno Devi temple.
In addition to train infrastructure, PM Modi laid the groundwork and officially opened a number of road projects that would enhance last-mile connectivity, particularly in rural and border regions. These include the construction of the Shopian bypass on National Highway 444 and the enlargement of the Rafiabad-Kupwara section on National Highway 701, which together cost more over ₹200 crores. In order to reduce urban traffic congestion, two additional flyovers were also opened at Bemina Junction on NH-44 and Sangrama Junction on NH-1 in Srinagar.
The Prime Minister lay the cornerstone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, which is part of the healthcare industry. By building the first medical college in the Reasi district, this ₹35 crore project will greatly improve the area’s healthcare system and increase educational options.
PM Modi stressed during his visit that these projects are not just engineering marvels but also represent optimism, national unity, and a better future for Jammu and Kashmir. These projects are anticipated to open up enormous development potential, encourage spiritual and adventure tourism, and create new sources of income for the local populace by bringing the area closer to the rest of India.
