‘Gap between Kashmir & nation bridged forever: LG

Srinagar, June 06 : “Kashmir to Kanyakumari is no longer just a slogan—it is now a reality,” said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) and dedicated the Chenab and Anji rail bridges to the nation.
Calling it a “momentous occasion,” the Lieutenant Governor expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for turning a decades-old dream into reality.
“The Prime Minister has connected the hearts of millions of Indians, forging an unbreakable bond from North to South,” Sinha said at the inaugural ceremony.
The day saw the Prime Minister flag off the first Vande Bharat Express to Kashmir, further ex-tending India’s high-speed rail network to the Valley for the first time.
The Lt Governor linked the historic railway launch to the national integration vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
“With the USBRL and the launch of Vande Bharat trains to the Kashmir Valley, the Hon’ble Prime Minister has fulfilled the resolve of Patel and Mookerjee, who dreamt of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,’” he said.
Sinha highlighted the monumental achievement of the world’s highest Chenab Railway Bridge and India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge at Anji.
“The skills of our engineers and the hard work of our workers who carved through the mountains have eliminated the gaps that existed between the crown jewel of India and the rest of the coun-try. These bridges don’t just connect land—they connect aspirations,” he said.
Recalling the pace of development since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, the LG said J&K has seen a socio-economic transformation under Modi’s leadership.
“The PM lit a new torch of development in J&K post August 2019. He built strong economic foundations, and now laid new lines of destiny in the form of railway lines,” said Sinha.
He added that the Union Territory has become a focal point of national growth, driven by speedy policy implementation and rapid industrialisation.
“Since April 2022 alone, the PM has dedicated and launched development projects worth over ₹1.15 lakh crore in Jammu and Kashmir,” he noted.
Addressing the region’s security concerns, the LG praised the Prime Minister’s decisive ap-proach. “The PM has ensured firm action against terrorism and its ecosystem. Operation Sindoor has drawn a new red line. On one side stands the unmatched might of our armed forces; on the other, the creative power working for a developed India,” said Sinha, referring to the recent mili-tary response following a terror attack in Pahalgam.
In a major boost to regional infrastructure, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stones and inaugurated several key road and healthcare projects:
“These projects will enhance last-mile connectivity, especially in border areas, and strengthen healthcare access for remote populations,” said the LG.