Reasi l June 6, 2025
In a major milestone for India’s infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the world’s highest railway bridge, spanning the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir’s Reasi district. The iconic arch-shaped bridge is part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which aims to provide seamless all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir valley.
The Prime Minister arrived at the site by chopper from Udhampur and walked to the S-70 viewpoint, where he was briefed on the project by Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar. Modi also interacted with engineers involved in constructing this engineering marvel that now towers at 359 meters above the river bed, taller than the Eiffel Tower.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and MoS in PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh, among other dignitaries.
A Game-Changer for Regional Mobility
The USBRL project — constructed at an estimated cost of ₹43,780 crore — includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges built across rugged mountainous terrain. The new rail link is set to transform connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of India, enhancing regional mobility and fostering socio-economic growth in the region.
PM Modi also flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar and back. These semi-high-speed trains will provide a modern, comfortable, and faster travel option for residents, tourists, and pilgrims.
Infrastructure Boost Beyond Rail
In addition to the USBRL inauguration, the Prime Minister launched and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹46,000 crore in Katra — the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine.
Key announcements included:
-
Road Projects:
-
Foundation stone laid for the widening of the Rafiabad to Kupwara road (NH-701).
-
Foundation stone laid for the construction of Shopian bypass (NH-444) worth ₹1,952 crore.
-
Inauguration of two flyover projects at Sangrama Junction (NH-1) and Bemina Junction (NH-44), aimed at easing urban traffic congestion.
-
-
Healthcare Development:
-
Foundation stone of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, worth ₹350 crore.
-
This will be Reasi district’s first medical college, a significant step toward improving healthcare services in the region.
-
USBRL: A Decade-Long Engineering Feat
The USBRL project has been implemented in phases:
-
2009: Qazigund–Baramulla (118 km)
-
2013: Banihal–Qazigund (18 km)
-
2014: Udhampur–Katra (25 km)
-
2024: Banihal–Sangaldan (48.1 km), Sangaldan–Reasi (46 km), and the final Reasi–Katra (17 km) section, completed in December 2024.
With the entire 272-km USBRL now complete, Jammu & Kashmir finally joins India’s broad-gauge railway network in full, paving the way for enhanced mobility, tourism, trade, and development.
Why It Matters
The completion of the Chenab Bridge and USBRL signifies more than just an engineering triumph — it’s a symbol of national integration and regional progress. The project is expected to boost local economies, improve access to healthcare and education, and generate employment in the region. It also holds promise for tourism and pilgrimage, connecting distant parts of the state to the rest of the country.
For the people of Jammu & Kashmir and India alike, this is a bridge to new opportunities.
