Katra, June 06: In a landmark event today at Katra, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple key infrastructure projects worth over ₹46,000 crore, marking a historic milestone in the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
The event was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, V. Somanna, Dr. Jitendra Singh, and other dignitaries.
Saluting the land of the brave Veer Zorawar Singh, Modi called the occasion “a grand celebra-tion of India’s unity and determination.” He highlighted that with the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, Kashmir is now seamlessly connected to India’s expansive railway network.
“We have always invoked Maa Bharati with deep reverence, saying ‘from Kashmir to Kanya-kumari. Today, this has become a reality even in our railway network,” the Prime Minister said, underscoring the symbolic significance of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line Project as a beacon of Jammu and Kashmir’s renewed strength and India’s growing capabilities.
PM Modi highlighted the umpteen challenges that the engineers and workers faced in bringing this project to life and also spoke about the government’s resolve and commitment in bringing prosperity to Kashmir.
“This project was immensely challenging, given the difficult terrain. But, our government chose to challenge the challenges,” he said.
The Prime Minister further said that the two bridges will soon become big centres of tourism in the valley as people, and this will in turn benefit both the regions — Jammu and Kashmir, which are connected now with the all-weather railway line.
Among the key projects inaugurated were the Chenab and Anji railway bridges — engineering marvels that exemplify India’s infrastructural prowess. The Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge standing 359 meters above the river, surpasses even the Eiffel Tower in height and is poised to become both a vital transport link and a tourist attraction. The Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, is another testament to the country’s engineer-ing innovation, set in the challenging Pir Panjal mountains.
“These landmark projects will serve as gateways to prosperity for Jammu and Kashmir,” said Modi, highlighting their potential to boost tourism and enhance trade. Improved rail connectivity will allow local products like Kashmir apples, dry fruits, and Pashmina shawls to reach markets across India more efficiently.
The Prime Minister also flagged off Vande Bharat Express trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar, reducing travel times by 2–3 hours and greatly facilitating passenger movement in the region.
Congratulating the people of the territory on these projects, PM Modi said, “I congratulate all of you for this new era of development. Many lineages of J-K have spent their lives dreaming of rail con-nectivity. Yesterday, I was watching CM Abdullah’s statement; he had also said that since he was studying in 7 or 8 standard, he was waiting for the completion of this project. Today the dream of lakhs of people of J-K has been fulfilled. All the good work is indeed left for me only to complete. It is the good fortune of our government that this project gained momentum during our tenure, and we completed it.”
Describing Jammu and Kashmir as the “crown jewel of India,” Modi praised the region’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and vibrant youth. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to accelerating development, including strengthening healthcare facilities, with the foundation stone laid for a new medical college in Jammu’s Reasi district and expansion of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra.
Modi also highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s educational institutions, such as IIT, IIM, AIIMS, and NIT, underscoring the region’s growing role in India’s emergence as a global knowledge hub.
Recounting a heartwarming story from Sangaldan village, Modi shared how many residents, es-pecially children, had only ever seen trains on videos but will soon witness real trains passing through their homes.
“Now, the weather will no longer decide whether the roads remain open or closed. This train service will help people in all seasons,” he quoted a young girl’s hopeful words.
Highlighting major infrastructure upgrades, the Prime Minister spoke about the widening of the Kathua-Jammu Highway to six lanes, road expansions under the Vibrant Village Program, and the construction of over 1,800 km of roads connecting 400 previously isolated border villages.
Calling on Jammu and Kashmir’s youth to participate in India’s manufacturing revolution, Modi urged them to join the Mission Manufacturing initiative aimed at boosting the country’s defense sector, which has emerged as a leading global exporter.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister affirmed a bright future for Jammu and Kashmir through the joint efforts of the Central and State governments. “With the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, we will march towards a developed India and a developed Jammu and Kashmir,” he declared.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi also interacted with some of the people involved in the build-ing the Chenab Rail Bridge. Modi praised their unwavering commitment to building modern in-frastructure for the nation.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister posted stated “Interacted with some of the people involved in building the Chenab Rail Bridge. They belong to different parts of India and are unwavering in their resolve to build modern infrastructure for their fellow Indians. They shared their experienc-es, including working in some very challenging times. They also shared how their families are very proud of the work they have done!”
