Srinagar, June 6 (KNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, the iconic Chenab Bridge, the Anji Cable-Stayed Rail Bridge, and flagged off Vande Bharat trains, connecting Kashmir with Kanyakumari for the first time.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), this marks a historic day for Jammu and Kashmir as the region is now connected by rail to the rest of India through one of the world’s most challenging terrains.
Speaking at the event, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described it as a momentous occasion that will be remembered in history. He thanked Prime Minister Modi for dedicating these landmark infrastructure projects to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the nation.
“Kashmir to Kanyakumari is no longer a slogan. Prime Minister Modi has turned this long-standing dream into reality, creating an unbreakable bond from North to South,” said LG Sinha. He added that the USBRL project and Vande Bharat train service fulfill the vision of national integration once dreamt of by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
LG Sinha praised the engineering excellence behind the world’s tallest Chenab Bridge and the country’s first cable-stayed Anji Bridge. He said these projects reflect not just technical achievement but also the hard work of thousands of workers who carved tunnels through the Himalayas to connect the "Crown Jewel of India" with the rest of the country.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Highlighting the transformation of the Union Territory, LG Sinha stated that in the past six years under PM Modi’s leadership, J&K has seen rapid development, industrialization, and socio-economic reform.
"Since April 2022, PM Modi has inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of development projects worth over ?1.15 lakh crore in Jammu and Kashmir," Sinha added.
He also thanked the Prime Minister for his strong stance against terrorism, citing "Operation Sindoor" as a decisive response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.(KNS)
In a major push for road infrastructure, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for several key road projects, including the widening of the Rafiabad-Kupwara stretch on NH-701 and the construction of the Shopian Bypass on NH-444, together worth over ?1,952 crore. He also inaugurated flyovers at Sangrama Junction (NH-1) and Bemina Junction (NH-44) in Srinagar to ease urban traffic flow.
Additionally, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, a ?350 crore project that will establish the first medical college in Reasi district and significantly enhance healthcare services in the region. (KNS)